College of Charleston Ring Ceremony Celebrates Tradition, History
This year’s ceremony will be held in the Sottile Theatre from 5 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26.
Every spring semester, the College of Charleston hosts a symbolic ring ceremony during which the CofC ring is presented to each recipient. This year’s ceremony will be held in the Sottile Theatre from 5-6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26. Participants are asked to arrive by 4:15 p.m.
Presented by the Alumni Association, the ceremony honors the significance of the College of Charleston ring. The executive vice president for Student Affairs, Alicia D. Caudill, will present the rings, and a professional photographer will be on hand to capture the moment. Laurie Minges ’83, president of the Alumni Association, will explain how to wear the ring before and after graduation and will invite recipients to put on their rings together for the first time.
Rooted in tradition and history, the College of Charleston ring symbolizes the institution’s 256-year legacy. The night before the ceremony, the rings are housed in the College’s original classroom in the President’s House at 6 Glebe St. (circa 1770). Designed in 1843, the CofC ring is identical for men and women and honors Pierrine Smith Class of 1922, the College’s first female graduate.
The signet-style ring features the seal of the College of Charleston, derived from the City of Charleston’s 1783 seal. Its Latin inscriptions translate to “Wisdom Itself Is Liberty” and “She Cares for Her Temples, Customs and Rights.” The seated woman, who holds the septor, symbolizes the City of Charleston and is shown presenting a laurel wreath to a young man holding a diploma. The date 1770 refers to the year of the College’s founding.
Each ring purchase includes a $100 donation to support alumni programs and services for the College and its alumni. “The decision to take part in this longstanding tradition supports both our culture of engagement and philanthropy,” says Dan Frezza, chief advancement officer and chief executive officer for the College of Charleston Foundation. “Participating is something we encourage all students to do before graduation as they join the alumni ranks.”
Madeline Jacaruso is a senior communication major from Essex, Connecticut, with interests in writing, journalism and strategic communication. She is a Martin Scholar and a member of the Eta Sigma chapter of Delta Gamma sorority.
