Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives ( specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Virginia Tech Ring and Class Collections, RG 31/13/3, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

Virginia Tech Ring and Class Collections was transferred and donated to Special Collections and University Archives from the 1980s to 2010s.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Virginia Tech Ring and Class Collections was completed in June 2015. Additional posters were integrated in February 2019.

Historical Note

Each year, the junior class officers and student appointees form the Ring Design Committee, which works with the Virginia Tech Alumni Association and a jewelry vendor to design a class ring collection. The collection, unique to each class, is named in honor of a Virginia Tech alum, emeritus, president, or other administrator. The tradition originates to 1911, when the classes of 1911, 1912, 1913, and 1914 designed the first class rings. Symbols from these early years have become traditional elements: eagles, campus buildings, and a chain symbolizing unity around the stone.

In the spring of their junior year, the Ring Dance Committee holds a dance to represent the transition from junior to senior. At the Ring Dance, students wear their dates' rings on ribbons of the class colors. When the Corps of Cadets form the shape of the class year and perform the sabre arch, the students exchange their rings to the tune of "Moonlight and VPI," written by Fred Waring and Charles Gaynor for Virginia Tech in 1939. The Virginia Tech Swine Club releases a small pig onto the dance floor, which started as a prank by members of the Corps of Cadets over 30 years ago. Then the attendees move to the Drillfield to watch fireworks, listen to "Sliver Taps," and witness the firing of the school cannon "Skipper."

Scope and Content

The Virginia Tech Ring and Class Collections document the work of the Ring Design Committee, Ring Dance Committee, and individual classes at VPI. Items include ring design proposals from potential vendors; brochures about the committees, design processes, and class ring collections; invitations, flyers, and tickets for the Ring Dance; and such artifacts as wax molds of the rings, banners from events, and t-shirts, glassware, and other memorabilia given to students. There are also printed materials and memorabilia from class reunions and a poster about the history of the Virginia Tech Class Ring Tradition.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by class year.

Related Material

See also the Record Group Vertical Files at Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives.

Separated Material

Two framed Class of 1944 Ring and Ring Dance posters are part of the Art Collection.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Posters
• University Archives
• University History
• Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (1896-1944)
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1944-1970)
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1970-)
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University -- Dances

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Virginia Tech Ring and Class Collections by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your- work/public-domain/cc0/ ).