Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Ring and Class Collections
RG.31.13.03
5.83 Cubic Feet
11 boxes
1910-2015
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.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
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.
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 Archival Materials
See also the Record Group Vertical Files at Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives.
Separated Materials
Two framed Class of 1944 Ring and Ring Dance posters are part of the Art Collection.
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/).
Posters
University Archives
University History
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University -- Dances
Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (1896-1944)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1944-1970)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1970-)
Class of 1910Reunion materials19501Class of 1925Class Ring, inscribed D.L.W.19254Class of 1927Alumni recollection20011Class of 193050th Anniversary Drink Glass19804Class of 1934Graduation and reunion materials1934198419881994160th Anniversary Drink Glass19948Class of 1935Reunion materials19801Ring Dance invitation and booklet19341Class of 1937Ring dance invitation19361Class of 1939Class ring and ring dance materials1938-19391Class of 1944The Virginia Tech, '44 Ring Dance Special Issue1942-10-229Baseball cap with patch labeled "VA TECH 44"undated4Scope and ContentAlthough 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.
Reunion materials19891Class of 1945Class of 1945 Reunion Gift1995-10-135Class of 1951Ring Poster9Class of 1955VPI Ring Committee5Class of 1956Class Ring19564Class of 1964Ring design materials1Class of 1965Ring design materials1Poster5Class of 1967Ring design and dance materials1Ring collection booklet11Poster5Class of 1969Ring collection booklet11Class of 1972Tech Showmen drink glass8Class of 1976Ring collection booklet11Class of 1977Ring collection booklet11Class of 1980Ring collection booklet11Class of 1984Ring design and dance materials1Class of 1985Ring collection brochure1Class of 1988Ring collection brochure1Scrapbook5Ring Premiere9Class of 1989Ring design and dance materials1Class of 1990Ring design and dance materials1Ring Premiere Poster1997-10-145Class of 1991Ring design and dance materials1Poster5Ring Premiere Poster5Julian A. Burruss Collection Poster5Class of 1992Class officer and Ring design and dance materials1Ring Dance Poster1991-03-22-1991-03-235Ring Premiere1990-10-029Class of 1993Class officer and Ring design and dance materials1Jostens ring proposal10Ring Dance Poster1992-03-27-1992-03-285Class of 1994Ring design materials1Ring designs5Balfour ring proposal10Artcarved ring proposal10Lucy Lee Lancaster Ring Collection5Class of 1995Balfour ring proposal10Jostens ring proposal10Class of 1996Ring design and dance materials1Wax rings4James D. McComas Ring Collection Poster5Class of 1997Ring design and dance materials1Drink glass4The William E. Lavery Ring Collection Poster5Scrapbook7Jostens ring proposal10Class of 1998Ring design and dance materials1Henry Dekker Ring Collection Poster9T-shirt6Class of 1999Ring Committee and dance materials1Drink glass4T-shirt6Table card5The William and Margaret Skelton Collection Ring Poster9Class of 2000Ring Proposal2Planning2Ring design and dance materials2The Colonel Harry D. Temple Ring Collection Poster9Class of 2001Ring design and dance materials2Drink glass4T-shirt6Class of 2002Ring premiere and dance materials2Gobos (Light stencils)4Glass candle4T-shirt6Posters9Class of 2003Ring premiere and dance materials5Frame4T-shirt6The Dr. T. Marshall Hahn, Jr. Ring Collection Poster5Class of 2004Ring design and dance materials2Ring design poster5Wax rings4Pen4Mug4T-shirt6Ring Premiere 2002-10-225Class of 2005Ring design and dance materials2Frame4Wax rings4Mug4Posters5T-shirt6Corps of Cadets Mug8Class of 2006Ring design and dance materials2Drink glass4Key ring4Plastic cup4Ping pong ball4Posters5Handkerchief6T-shirt6Class of 2007Ring design and dance materials3Drink glass4T-shirts6Class of 2008Ring design and dance materials3Drink glass4T-shirts6Class of 2009Ring design and dance materials3Drink glass4Poster5T-shirt6Class of 2010Ring design and dance materials3Poster5T-shirts6Handkerchief6Ring Dance drink glass8Class of 2011Ring design and dance materials3Drink glass4T-shirt6Class of 2012Ring design and dance materials3Drink glass4Poster5T-shirt6Class of 2013Ring design and dance materials3Drink glass4Eyeglass holder4Poster5Ring Premiere and Dance koozie8Two Ring Dance pins8Two Ring Ribbons8T-shirts9Class of 2014Ring design and dance materials3Ring Premiere Eyeglass holder4Wine glass4Poster5Ring Premiere and Dance koozie8Two Ring Ribbons8T-shirts9Ring Dance banner9Class of 2015Ring design and dance materials3Ring Premiere Tumbler4Key ring4Poster5Ring Premiere and Dance koozie8Ring Premiere and Dance flying disk8Two Ring Ribbons8T-shirt9Kickoff concert banner9Assorted posterVirginia Tech Class Ring Tradition Posterundated5