Print
+ Font
- FontTwo Tons of Tradition: Alumni Association Unveils Class Ring Sculpture
The bronze sculpture of the Texas Tech official class ring is located southeast of the Merket Alumni Center.
Written by Lori Cortez
Touted as “Two Tons of Tradition,” the 6-foot-3-inch bronze sculpture is an exact replica of the Texas Tech official class ring.
A project involving more than two years of development culminates with an unveiling of a sculpture, but expands a Texas Tech tradition.
The Texas Tech Alumni Association (TTAA) held a ceremony on the grounds of the Merket Alumni Center where it unveiled a 6-foot-3-inch bronze sculpture of the Texas Tech official class ring. Introduced in 1999, the official class ring is one of the most popular and fastest-growing university traditions.
As the centerpiece of the new Texas Tech Leaders Plaza, the sculpture is located southeast of the Merket Alumni Center. The ring sits upon a cast stone plaza with pavers purchased by alumni and friends of the university, and each stone is engraved with the donor’s name, honors, and achievements.
Touted as “Two Tons of Tradition,” the sculpture is expected to draw many visitors to the site for photo opportunities. TTAA hosts two ring ceremonies each year during which approximately 300 students receive their class rings.
In the spring of 2008, TTAA originated the concept for the ring as a part of its expansion and $4 million capital campaign. After obtaining a funding gift from Marshall Formby Foundation in Plainview and many other pledges, the project became a reality.
Balfour, the official jeweler of the class ring, created the 3D model for the sculpture. The project organizers then hired Deep in the Heart Art Foundry in Bastrop to recreate the ring in bronze to match the many sculptures that decorate the Texas Tech campus. The sculpture also features fine detail on elements like the Double T, Masked Rider and cotton bolls.
Clint Howard of the foundry explained, “The level of detail needed for a finger-size ring is far less than when cast into such a large sculpture.”
For additional information on purchasing a cast stone paver visit the TTAA website.
9 Responses to “Two Tons of Tradition: Alumni Association Unveils Class Ring Sculpture”
Leave a Reply
Texas Tech Alumni Association
The mission of the Texas Tech Alumni Association is to cultivate loyalty, tradition, service and lifelong relationships. They provide alumni opportunities to get together in social and business networks as well as allowing them to just remember what is was like to be on campus.
Related
Dreams of Dancing Transform into a Career
Lessons of Business: Alumnus Learned the Ways of the Executive Early in Life
Program Gives Opportunity to Volunteer for the Alumni Association
October 25th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Love the idea. We got married at the Merket and would have loved the courtyard for pictures and space. However, I do hate that this ring sculpture is very much ATM. They have done this. Granted, at a graveyard, but I hate that we copied them, I really do.
October 26th, 2010 at 9:30 am
[...] CLICK HERE to read the article on Texas Tech Today. This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. ← Two Tons of Tradition Unveiled – Oct. 15, 2010 [...]
November 2nd, 2010 at 11:19 am
[...] Two Tons of Tradition: Alumni Association Unveils Class Ring Sculpture [...]
November 12th, 2010 at 8:29 am
ATM installed one of these on campus about a year ago. It’s bigger and standing up so there is a bit more wow factor since you can actually walk under it.
I guess better late than never for Tech…
December 31st, 2010 at 6:23 pm
The Aggie Ring is at the Former Students Association building, not a “graveyard”, Adam.
January 1st, 2011 at 9:44 pm
ATM’s is not at a graveyard. It is at the Association of Former Students building.
January 2nd, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Aw, that’s cute. Y’all wanna be Aggies so bad, but it just won’t happen!
June 6th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Seriously? The best we can come up with is a class ring? A former astronaut, CEO’s, and other greats have graduated from Texas Tech, and we build a class ring? Why not honor one or several of our accoplished Alumnus?
April 4th, 2012 at 10:35 pm
Actually, Adam’s half-correct. Earl Rudder’s dog, Ranger, is buried nearby in Spence Park…not too far from the ring sculpture.