Virginia Tech Ring and Class Collections Virginia Tech Ring and Class Collections, 1910-2015 RG.31.13.03

Virginia Tech Ring and Class Collections, 1910-2015 RG.31.13.03


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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

LM Rozema, Archivist

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
RG.31.13.03
Title
Virginia Tech Ring and Class Collections 1910-2015
Quantity
5.83 Cubic Feet, 11 boxes
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
The Virginia Tech Ring and Class Collections document the work of the Ring Design Committee, Ring Dance Committee, and individual classes at VPI, including their reunions. Items include ring design proposals and collection brochures, invitations and flyers for ring dances, and memorabilia for graduating classes and class reunions.

Administrative Information

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/ ).

Container List

Class of 1910
  • box 1
    Reunion materials
    1950
Class of 1925
  • box 4
    Class Ring, inscribed "D.L.W. "
    1925
Class of 1927
  • box 1
    Alumni recollection
    2001
Class of 1930
  • box 4
    50th Anniversary Drink Glass
    1980
Class of 1934
  • box 1
    Graduation and reunion materials
    1934198419881994
  • box 8
    60th Anniversary Drink Glass
    1994
Class of 1935
  • box 1
    Reunion materials
    1980
  • box 1
    Ring Dance invitation and booklet
    1934
Class of 1937
  • box 1
    Ring dance invitation
    1936
Class of 1939
  • box 1
    Class ring and ring dance materials
    1938-1939
Class of 1944
  • box 9
    The Virginia Tech, '44 Ring Dance Special Issue
    1942-10-22
  • box 4
    Baseball cap with patch labeled "VA TECH 44"
    undated
    Scope and Content

    Although this cap has a "VA TECH 44" patch, it is likely from a reunion for the Class of 1944 in the 1980s or 1990s, due to its good condition.

  • box 1
    Reunion materials
    1989
Class of 1945
  • box 5
    Class of 1945 Reunion Gift
    1995-10-13
Class of 1951
  • box 9
    Ring Poster
Class of 1955
  • box 5
    VPI Ring Committee
Class of 1956
  • box 4
    Class Ring
    1956
Class of 1964
  • box 1
    Ring design materials
Class of 1965
  • box 1
    Ring design materials
  • oversize box: 5
    Poster
Class of 1967
  • box 1
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 11
    Ring collection booklet
  • oversize box: 5
    Poster
Class of 1969
  • box 11
    Ring collection booklet
Class of 1972
  • box 8
    Tech Showmen drink glass
Class of 1976
  • box 11
    Ring collection booklet
Class of 1977
  • box 11
    Ring collection booklet
Class of 1980
  • box 11
    Ring collection booklet
Class of 1984
  • box 1
    Ring design and dance materials
Class of 1985
  • box 1
    Ring collection brochure
Class of 1988
  • box 1
    Ring collection brochure
  • box 5
    Scrapbook
  • box 9
    Ring Premiere
Class of 1989
  • box 1
    Ring design and dance materials
Class of 1990
  • box 1
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 5
    Ring Premiere Poster
    1997-10-14
Class of 1991
  • box 1
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 5
    Poster
  • box 5
    Ring Premiere Poster
  • box 5
    Julian A. Burruss Collection Poster
Class of 1992
  • box 1
    Class officer and Ring design and dance materials
  • box 5
    Ring Dance Poster
    1991-03-22-1991-03-23
  • box 9
    Ring Premiere
    1990-10-02
Class of 1993
  • box 1
    Class officer and Ring design and dance materials
  • box 10
    Jostens ring proposal
  • box 5
    Ring Dance Poster
    1992-03-27-1992-03-28
Class of 1994
  • box 1
    Ring design materials
  • box 5
    Ring designs
  • box 10
    Balfour ring proposal
  • box 10
    Artcarved ring proposal
  • box 5
    Lucy Lee Lancaster Ring Collection
Class of 1995
  • box 10
    Balfour ring proposal
  • box 10
    Jostens ring proposal
Class of 1996
  • box 1
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 4
    Wax rings
  • box 5
    James D. McComas Ring Collection Poster
Class of 1997
  • box 1
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 4
    Drink glass
  • box 5
    The William E. Lavery Ring Collection Poster
  • box 7
    Scrapbook
  • box 10
    Jostens ring proposal
Class of 1998
  • box 1
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 9
    Henry Dekker Ring Collection Poster
  • box 6
    T-shirt
Class of 1999
  • box 1
    Ring Committee and dance materials
  • box 4
    Drink glass
  • box 6
    T-shirt
  • oversize box: 5
    Table card
  • box 9
    The William and Margaret Skelton Collection Ring Poster
Class of 2000
  • box 2
    Ring Proposal
  • box 2
    Planning
  • box 2
    Ring design and dance materials
  • Text box: 9
    The Colonel Harry D. Temple Ring Collection Poster
Class of 2001
  • box 2
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 4
    Drink glass
  • box 6
    T-shirt
Class of 2002
  • box 2
    Ring premiere and dance materials
  • box 4
    Gobos (Light stencils)
  • box 4
    Glass candle
  • box 6
    T-shirt
  • oversize box: 9
    Posters
Class of 2003
  • box 5
    Ring premiere and dance materials
  • box 4
    Frame
  • box 6
    T-shirt
  • box 5
    The Dr. T. Marshall Hahn, Jr. Ring Collection Poster
Class of 2004
  • box 2
    Ring design and dance materials
  • folder box: 5
    Ring design poster
  • box 4
    Wax rings
  • box 4
    Pen
  • box 4
    Mug
  • box 6
    T-shirt
  • box 5
    Ring Premiere
    2002-10-22
Class of 2005
  • box 2
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 4
    Frame
  • box 4
    Wax rings
  • box 4
    Mug
  • box 5
    Posters
  • box 6
    T-shirt
  • box 8
    Corps of Cadets Mug
Class of 2006
  • box 2
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 4
    Drink glass
  • box 4
    Key ring
  • box 4
    Plastic cup
  • box 4
    Ping pong ball
  • box 5
    Posters
  • box 6
    Handkerchief
  • box 6
    T-shirt
Class of 2007
  • box 3
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 4
    Drink glass
  • box 6
    T-shirts
Class of 2008
  • box 3
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 4
    Drink glass
  • box 6
    T-shirts
Class of 2009
  • box 3
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 4
    Drink glass
  • box 5
    Poster
  • box 6
    T-shirt
Class of 2010
  • box 3
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 5
    Poster
  • box 6
    T-shirts
  • box 6
    Handkerchief
  • box 8
    Ring Dance drink glass
Class of 2011
  • box 3
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 4
    Drink glass
  • box 6
    T-shirt
Class of 2012
  • box 3
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 4
    Drink glass
  • box 5
    Poster
  • box 6
    T-shirt
Class of 2013
  • box 3
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 4
    Drink glass
  • box 4
    Eyeglass holder
  • box 5
    Poster
  • box 8
    Ring Premiere and Dance koozie
  • box 8
    Two Ring Dance pins
  • box 8
    Two Ring Ribbons
  • box 9
    T-shirts
Class of 2014
  • box 3
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 4
    Ring Premiere Eyeglass holder
  • box 4
    Wine glass
  • box 5
    Poster
  • box 8
    Ring Premiere and Dance koozie
  • box 8
    Two Ring Ribbons
  • box 9
    T-shirts
  • box 9
    Ring Dance banner
Class of 2015
  • box 3
    Ring design and dance materials
  • box 4
    Ring Premiere Tumbler
  • box 4
    Key ring
  • box 5
    Poster
  • box 8
    Ring Premiere and Dance koozie
  • box 8
    Ring Premiere and Dance flying disk
  • box 8
    Two Ring Ribbons
  • box 9
    T-shirt
  • box 9
    Kickoff concert banner
Assorted poster
  • box 5
    Virginia Tech Class Ring Tradition Poster
    undated