Virginia Tech Class of 2016 Ring Brochure

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY BID100VT-0014.22422 ©Balfour 1970–2014, all rights reserved.

VIRGINIA TECH

2016 RING COLLECTION

VIRGINIA TECH AMBITIONE INCENSI VINCIMUS IGNITED BY AMBITION WE TRIUMPH CLASS COLORS: Dark Red, Champagne, Pearl White

VIRGINIA TECH WEAR THE TRADITION

T

he Virginia Tech class ring embodies and

and crossed sabres or rifles, usually found on the

invokes memories, traditions and pride that

university side, which symbolizes the military

tie Hokies, young and old, together. The

heritage and traditions of the Corps of Cadets. The

tradition began during the 1911–1912 school session

chain links that have encircled the ring bezel on

when four classes (1911–1914) designed their rings.

Virginia Tech rings since 1940 represent class unity, the strength of many united as one.

Since the beginning, each Virginia Tech class has designed a ring distinctive and unique to its class.

Since 1991, the design process has included the

Today, Virginia Tech is one of only a few colleges

recognition of a distinguished alumnus, alumna,

and universities that redesign their ring collection

university president, or administrator. The design,

each year. Each year, the sophomore class officers

collection, and namesake are announced to the

select a Ring Design Committee responsible for

class during the fall of their junior year at Ring

designing and marketing their class ring collection,

Premiere. The Class of 2016 recognizes Ben J.

adding elements that reflect their class experiences

Davenport Jr. ’64 as our ring collection namesake.

on the class side. All ring designs have an eagle

TO THE CLASS OF 2016,

T

hroughout the past two years we have

It is my honor and privilege to invite you to

been through numerous academic trials,

celebrate one of Virginia Tech’s longest standing

and thrilling sporting events, while also

and beloved traditions, that of the Class Ring. Each

having the opportunity to take a couple days

class that comes through Virginia Tech has their

off to play in the snow. These are just a few of

own distinctive ring that is redesigned each year.

the many things that we will remember from our

The ring embodies the experiences we have all

time here that have helped to shape our Virginia

shared as Hokies. A testament of our time here and

Tech experience. I am deeply moved that I have

of our bond to this university. Wearing the tradition

been able to share these experiences with our Class.

of the class ring, as students and then later alumni, is a special way of displaying the pride and love we

Photo by Alyssa Ta, Class of 2016 Historian

have for Virginia Tech.

Our class motto, “Ignited by Ambition, We Triumph”, serves as another representation of the willingness of our class to push farther and reach for new horizons in the spirit of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). Our class ring will unite us together as the Class of 2016, and connect us with past, present, and future Hokies.

I hope that you all will take the opportunity to participate in this rich tradition and show your passion and loyalty to your alma mater.

With the spirit of 2016,

LUKE CARROLL President Class of 2016

VIRGINIA TECH 2016 CLASS SPONSOR

J

oining the Virginia Tech community in 1989,

Her professional affiliations include the National

Rachel Holloway has served in many different

Communication Association, Association for Education

roles. She has progressed through academic

in Journalism and Mass Communication, Public Relations

administrative

and

leadership

positions,

having

served as undergraduate program coordinator, assistant

department

head,

chair

of

the

Department of Communication and associate dean for undergraduate academic affairs in the College of

Liberal

Arts

and

Human

Sciences,

before

assuming her current role in fall 2013 as vice provost for undergraduate academic affairs.

Society of America and Southern States Communication Association.

At new student summer orientation opening sessions, Holloway offers a special message and words of wisdom to incoming first-year students. She shares her story of why she chose to work at Virginia Tech along with guidance on how new students can fully embrace their college experience as Hokies.

With a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Morehead State University, and master’s and doctoral degrees in communication from Purdue University, Holloway’s teaching interests included public relations principles, campaigns, and issue management. She has authored or co-authored many scholarly articles, and given presentations based on her research with focus on rhetorical and media strategies used in political and corporate

Holloway’s upbringing in the mountains of East Kentucky gave her a love for the natural environment – plants, trees, wildflowers and wildlife – which is why she feels so at home in the mountains of Southwest Virginia.

Holloway and her husband, Robert Denton, who currently serves as the chair of the Department of Communication, make their home in Blacksburg with their two dogs, Abby and Daisy.

campaign discourse.

In her current position as vice provost for undergraduate academic affairs, Holloway oversees the strategies, programs, and resources which support the undergraduate educational experience at Virginia Tech. In addition, she works closely with college deans and other vice provosts to coordinate University Relations

strategic initiatives to advance Virginia Tech’s undergraduate education reputation.

Holloway directly oversees areas that enhance the overall undergraduate experience such as academic support services, student success, University Studies, University

Honors,

First

Year

Experiences,

undergraduate research, the Undergraduate Honor System, and the revision of the current Curriculum for Liberal Education.

RACHEL HOLLOWAY Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs

2016 CLASS RING NAMESAKE

B

en Davenport has a long history of engagement and

and Research in Danville, created in 2004 with Virginia Tech

service with Virginia Tech.

A native of Chatham,

as an academic partner, and is currently a member of the

Virginia, Davenport graduated from Virginia Tech in

Institute’s board. He has served on the Pamplin Advisory

1964 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Council, the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute Policy Advisory

As a student, he was treasurer of the civilian student body in

Board, and supports the Hokies for Higher Education initiative.

his junior year; served as president of Alpha Kappa Psi, a

His exceptional generosity to Virginia Tech has earned

business fraternity; and was a member of several other

him membership in the Ut Prosim Society President’s

campus organizations.

Circle. In recognition of his outstanding service to Virginia

As an alumnus, Davenport has served Virginia Tech in many ways, including membership on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors for two terms (2002-2010), serving two years as rector

Tech

and

the

Alumni

Association,

Davenport

was

awarded the A l u m n i Distinguished Service Award in spring of 2013.

(2004-2006); the Virginia Tech Foundation board; and the

Davenport is chairman of First Piedmont Corporation,

Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine board of directors.

a regional waste management company, as well as Davenport

He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for the

Energy, a supplier of petroleum products in southern Virginia.

Virginia Tech Foundation. He was a driving force behind

He was a founding member of the Mid-Atlantic Broadband

efforts

Communities, which has built a 1,500-mile network of fiber

to

revitalize

the

economy

of

Southside

Virginia, championing the Institute for Advanced Learning

connecting 26 counties and cities in southern Virginia.

In addition to his business interests, Davenport is involved in a variety of other activities, especially those that benefit the quality of life in Southside Virginia. He is a member of the board of directors of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, serving as its chairman. He sits on the boards of American National Bank and Trust and Boxley Materials, as well as Hargrave Military Academy, the Danville Regional Foundation,

University Relations

and the Future of the Piedmont Foundation. He and his wife, Betty, have a long history of volunteering time, service, and resources to community programs.

Ben and Betty make their home in Chatham, Virginia along with their two golden retrievers, Governor and Bay.

BEN J. DAVENPORT JR. ’64 B.S. Business Administration Chairman of the Virginia Tech Foundation

1911

1912

1914

1922

Four Virginia Tech rings were realized in the 1911-1912 school session – in this order, 1913, 1912, 1914, and 1911.

Among the earliest Virginia Tech rings, this signet-style ring with a flat stone, used the 1912 class emblem for the design.

First class to select a committee for ring design.

First women’s miniature ring offered.

Miniature rings were often used as engagement rings.

VIRGINIA TECH OUR OWN 2016 COLLECTION of our college career. Many of us have expanded our horizons immensely in the past two years

Photo by Alyssa Ta, Class of 2016 Historian

T

his premiere marks the approximate midpoint

experiencing all Virginia Tech has to offer. No two stories are alike just as no two Hokies are identical. The 2016 Ring Design committee used this as inspiration in creating the Class of 2016 ring.

Throughout the team’s design process, we worked to create a ring that represents our time as a class at Virginia Tech. This ring signifies tradition, both new and old, creating a tangible time capsule for the Class of 2016. Our vision was one of simplicity and timelessness, to design a ring that would endure the test of time in an elegant manner. Not only are we

honored

to

have

been

selected

for

this

task,

but we are thrilled to reveal the final product of our hard work.

MATTHEW MERRITT Ring Design Chair Class of 2016

The ring serves as a reminder that while we are each unique, we are bonded together by the traditions and community spirit of this great Hokie Nation. When you first wear your ring at Ring Dance, make sure to reflect on the traditions that make the occasion so special. You are joining an exclusive group of Hokies and further forging the perpetual connection of spirit and joy. Be proud to be a part of over 100 years of tradition!

Sincerely,

1934

1940

1942

1958

First ring dance is held on April 27, 1934 by the Class of 1935.

The rope motif that encircled the bezel is replaced by an interlinking chain and is used today to represent class unity, in the form of linking class numerals.

Fred Waring’s Moonlight and V.P.I. is first performed at Ring Dance.

First ring to depict the War Memorial Pylons.

Sketches by Alexander Jones

DESIGN & PROCESS

Virginia Tech 2016 Class Logo

Version 3

1964

1971

1984

1992

2016 Ring Namesake Ben Davenport is from the Class of 1964. Some members of this Class created the Hokie Gold program.

First ring to depict the Skipper Cannon.

Uses hemlock needles to form the chain around the bezel. Hokie stone is modeled around the palm side of the ring.

Modern HokieBird first appears on a ring.

Photo by Alyssa Ta, Class of 2016 Historian

VIRGINIA TECH RING DESIGN COMMITTEE

FRONT: (from L to R) Will Porzio, male member-at-large; Tanushri Shankar, female member-at-large; Martha Roszak, member-at-large; Alexander Jones, member-at-large.

BACK: Matthew Merritt, design committee chair; Andrew Mitchell, cadet member-at-large; Luke Carroll, class president; Ryan Hopkins, dance chair.

2000

2011

2015

The Millennial ring. Charles Steger ’69 becomes Virginia Tech’s 15th president.

Celebrates 100 years of the ring tradition.

First ring to offer the option of genuine Hokie Stone as a stone choice.

First year when the Hokie Tracks were used as a chain in the bezel.

CLASS SIDE

INTERLOCKING CHAIN OF 32 HOKIE TRACKS

HOKIEBIRD

SEVEN STARS

OAK LEAVES

MOSS ARTS CENTER

HOLTZMAN ALUMNI CENTER CLOCK TOWER

SKIPPER CANNON (“L” IN SMOKE)

LAVERY HALL

CLASS OF 2016 MOTTO (AMBITIONE INCENSI VINCIMUS)

AVERY TUNNEL/LANE STADIUM/WORSHAM FIELD

FIREWORKS ON CAMPUS

TWO SNOWFLAKES

CLASS LOGO

FIGHTING GOBBLER

CXLII

INTERLOCKING CHAIN OF 32 HOKIE TRACKS

Two sets of 16 Hokie tracks meet to create 32 in remembrance of those lost on April 16, 2007.

SEVEN STARS

Seven stars light the sky over the Blue Ridge Mountains to honor the 7 alumni recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

MOSS ARTS CENTER

WE REMEMBER

FIREWORKS ON CAMPUS

The silhouette of firework trails originating from Blacksburg signifies the first overtime game and victory in Lane Stadium against Georgia Tech.

CLASS LOGO

The 2016 class logo incorporates the old VT logo into the Roman numerals X and I to form 16.

The most recent addition to the upper quad is the Moss Arts Center, named after P. Buckley Moss and dedicated in the Fall of 2013.

CXLII

SKIPPER CANNON (“L” IN SMOKE)

HOKIEBIRD

The Skipper Cannon fires a shot into the air forming a Roman numeral L in the smoke to honor the 50th anniversary of the cannon, a familiar sight and sound at Hokie football games.

CLASS OF 2016 MOTTO (AMBITIONE INCENSI VINCIMUS) The 2016 Class motto in Latin translates to “Ignited by Ambition, We Triumph”, uniting the class with a common goal of pushing farther and reaching a new level in the spirit of the university motto Ut Prosim.

The Class of 2016 is the 142nd Class to graduate from the university.

The university mascot HokieBird gazes over the class side of the ring as an ever-present symbol of Hokie Spirit.

OAK LEAVES

Oak leaves, symbols of strength and endurance, are found on the original Virginia Tech ring and represent the many old and majestic oak trees on the Virginia Tech campus.

HOLTZMAN ALUMNI CENTER CLOCK TOWER

The hands of the clock atop the Holtzman Alumni Center point to the time 20:00 hours and 16:00 hours representing 2016.

LAVERY HALL

Lavery Hall is home to Turner Place, the newest dining center on campus.

AVERY TUNNEL / LANE STADIUM / WORSHAM FIELD

Avery Tunnel opens up to reveal Worsham Field and Lane Stadium, a familiar sight for many Hokies. Most new students have the opportunity to touch the Reach for Excellence Hokie Stone above the entrance at the Hokie Hi picnic the day before classes begin.

TWO SNOWFLAKES

Two snowflakes denote the unprecedented back-to-back snow days at Virginia Tech in February 2014.

FIGHTING GOBBLER

Representing the original teams called Gobblers, the Fighting Gobbler emblem is part of the genealogy and heritage of our modern day Hokies and the HokieBird today.

WE REMEMBER

We remember those 32 Hokies that were lost on April 16, 2007.

UNIVERSITY SIDE

SCREAMING EAGLE

1872

THE PYLONS OF THE WAR MEMORIAL

BURRUSS HALL

THE AMERICAN FLAG

THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA FLAG

UT PROSIM

THREE STARS

CROSSED SABRES

THE FLAMING VT

CORPS OF CADETS CREST

UNIVERSITY SHIELD

MMXVI

LEST WE FORGET HOKIE STONE

SCREAMING EAGLE

The majestic Screaming Eagle, symbolizing the virtues of strength and freedom has appeared on every Class ring since 1911.

THE PYLONS OF THE WAR MEMORIAL

The Pylons represent the eight core values of Virginia Tech. Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty, and Ut Prosim.

The Cenotaph in the center bears the names of the seven Virginia Tech alumni awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

THE AMERICAN FLAG

Displayed proudly on the Virginia Tech campus, the American flag presents pride, freedom, history, and unity.

UT PROSIM

Etched into the steps of the War Memorial, the University’s motto UT PROSIM (That I May Serve) was established in 1896 and remains an enduring principle of Virginia Tech.

CROSSED SABRES

Crossed sabres, an original feature on the first Virginia Tech rings, are strong reminders of the university’s military tradition and prestige.

CORPS OF CADETS CREST

The Corps of Cadets Crest, designed by alumnus Harry D. Temple ’34, embodies the very tradition that the university was founded upon as an all-cadet military academy.

MMXVI

Class of 2016 is shown in Roman numerals.

1872

Founded in 1872, Virginia Tech was originally a land grant, agricultural and mechanical, military college.

BURRUSS HALL

A dignified foundation of campus, Burruss Hall, completed in 1936, was named after Virginia Tech’s eight president Julian Ashby Burruss, an alumnus of the Class of 1898. A distinctive landmark of the Drillfield’s skyline, this signature Hokie stone building serves many academic and administrative purposes as well as hosting concerts and other student productions such as Ring Premiere in its auditorium.

THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA FLAG

As the first land grant university in Virginia, Virginia Tech proudly displays the flag of the Commonwealth.

THREE STARS

The Three Stars commemorate past, present, and future Hokies.

THE FLAMING VT

The Flaming VT is a Homecoming tradition with the Hotel Company of the Corps of Cadets. V.P.I. can be seen in the flames, the initials of Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

UNIVERSITY SHIELD

Created in 1896 and nearly unchanged for 11 decades, the seal’s four quadrants depict the Great Seal of the Commonwealth; the surveyor’s level and leveling rod; a standing ear of corn; and a chemical retort and graduate, representing the agricultural and mechanical emphasis in the university’s early history.

LEST WE FORGET

These words are etched on “The Rock” memorial located in the upper quad which honors those alumni who lost their lives in World War I.

HOKIE STONE

The Hokie Stone depicted on the shanks of the ring reminds students of the neo-gothic architecture and stonework on campus buildings.

CLASS OF 2016 MEN’S BEN J. DAVENPORT JR. COLLECTION

COMMONWEALTH OVAL TOP

COMMONWEALTH STADIUM TOP

COMMONWEALTH SQUARE TOP

OLD DOMINION

YORKTOWN

JAMESTOWN

BEZEL OPTIONS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH RING

OVAL

STADIUM

SQUARE

TOP

TOP

TOP

VIRGINIA CLASS OF 2016 TECH WOMEN’S BEN J. DAVENPORT JR. COLLECTION

DOGWOOD

HAYMARKET

WILLIAMSBURG

COMMONWEALTH SQUARE TOP

CARDINAL (VT SHANKS)

COMMONWEALTH MINIATURE OVAL TOP

COLONIAL

SHENANDOAH

METAL TOP OPTIONS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH RING

VT

CORP

HIGHTY TIGHTY

PYLONS

SCHOOL SEAL

SEAL

SEAL

SEAL

A CUSTOM CREATION

F

or each class, the Ring Design Committee is chosen

art is digitized and then drawn in a Computer Aided

during sophomore year. The committee members

Design (CAD)

brainstorm to gather the most important elements

uses this CAD file to create a wax version of the ring for

of our Virginia Tech experience. This year’s ring contains

final approval by the committee. Once approved, a master

elements from our class experience, and the rich history

mold is created. The ancient “lost wax process” is used to

of past class rings.

make the detailed rings that Hokies cherish. Each class

In partnership with Balfour, and after many meetings and sketches, the committee presents its work to an artist who professionally renders it on a ring shank drawing.

program for the manufacturer.

ring is made to order, passing through the skilled hands of at least 30 craftsmen, and is subjected to seven detailed inspections to ensure it meets all our quality standards.

After several rounds of revisions and improvements, the

WAX RING

T

POLISHING

METAL RING TREE

HE HOKIE GOLD LEGACY PROGRAM was

established

as a Class of 1964 anniversary program to have gold from donated Virginia Tech alumni class rings included in future class rings.

On May 3, 2012, the inaugural melt was held at the Kroehling Advanced Materials Foundry (also known as VT FIRE), a laboratory for students in Materials Science Engineering. A small portion of gold from this melt was reserved to include in future Hokie Gold melts.

Each year, some donated Hokie Gold will be passed down to the next class in perpetuity.

Balfour

FILING

VIRGINIA TECH OPTIONS & PRICING RING PRICING

MEN’S STYLES

Balfour Premium Silver™ 10K

Commonwealth 40 DWT Commonwealth 34 DWT Commonwealth 28 DWT Commonwealth 22 DWT Old Dominion Jamestown Yorktown

$ 643 $ 617 $ 585 $ 558 $ 392 $ 392 $ 392

$ 1,480 $ 1,298 $ 1,148 $ 986 $ 579 $ 575 $ 575

SIMULATED GEMSTONES

14K 18K Celestrium™ $ 1,974 $ 1,735 $ 1,485 $ 1,246 $ 734 $ 726 $ 726

$ 2,576 $ 2,221 $ 1,875 $ 1,540 $ 884 $ 876 $ 876

$ 249 $ 249 $ 249 $ 249 $ 249 $ 249 $ 249

January Garnet

May Emerald

Balfour

WOMEN’S STYLES Premium Silver™ 10K Commonwealth 12 DWT Commonwealth 5 DWT Commonwealth Miniature Haymarket Colonial Williamsburg Shenandoah CZ Shenandoah Diamond Cardinal Dogwood CZ Dogwood Diamond

$ 482 $ 384 $ 384 $ 383 $ 384 $ 384 $ 383 $ 405 $ 383 $ 383 $ 473

$ 695 $ 509 $ 459 $ 449 $ 474 $ 474 $ 449 $ 471 $ 449 $ 449 $ 539

14K $ 872 $ 591 $ 508 $ 498 $ 529 $ 529 $ 498 $ 520 $ 498 $ 498 $ 588

GENUINE STONES 13x11 12x10 8x6 $ 168 $ 464 $ 493 $ 220 $ 220 $ 530 $ 215 $ 218 $ 252 $ 325

$ 1455 $ 250 $ 28 $ 37 $ 115 $ 52 $ 52

$ 126 $ 327 $ 409 $ 173 $ 173 $ 352 $ 173 $ 158 $ 189 $ 306

$ 1392 $ 234 $ 26 $ 32 $ 105 $ 52 $ 42

$ 42 $ 97 $ 94 $ 52 $ 52 $ 147 $ 105 $ 55­­­­ $ 84 $ 133­­­­ $ 150­­­­ $ 52­­­­ $ 19­­­­ $ 24 $ 63 $ 42 $ 42­­­­

March Aquamarine

June Alexandrite

April White Spinel

July August Ruby Peridot

18K Celestrium™ $ 1,044 $ 239 $ 693 $ 239 $ 617 $ 239 $ 607 $ 239 $ 635 $ 239 $ 635 $ 239 $ 607 $ 239 $ 629 $ 261 $ 607 $ 239 $ 607 N/A $ 697 N/A

STONE PRICING

Citrine Light Aquamarine Medium Aquamarine Swiss Blue Topaz London Blue Topaz Rhodolite Garnet Mozambique Garnet Light Amethyst Medium Amethyst Dark Amethyst Peridot Smokey Topaz Hokie Stone Oval Hokie Stone Square Hope Blue Star Sapphire Brown Tiger Eye Wyoming Jade

February Amethyst

DIAMONDS $ 42 1 Pt. 2 Pts. $ 52 3 Pts. $ 79 5 Pts. $ 110 10 Pts. $ 121 20 Pts. $ 350 25 Pts. $ 399 CUBIC ZIRCONIA $ 16 1 Pt. 2 Pts. $ 21 3 Pts. $ 24 5 Pts. $ 31 10 Pts. $ 31 20 Pts. $ 34 25 Pts. $ 58

September October November December Blue Spinel Green Tourmaline Topaz Blue Zircon

Onyx

Tangerine

Fireblue

Rose Zircon

Also Available in genuine Hokie Stone! *Stones will vary

MORE OPTIONS:

Please visit a Balfour representative at campus ring sale dates for more information.

PAYMENT: • PAYMENT IN FULL: Your payment may be with cash, check, credit card, or a combination of all of the above.

• TIME PAYMENT: Your balance will be divided into 2, 4, or 6 equal payments on your MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express and charged at 30-day intervals until the balance is paid in full.

• C.O.D.: Leave a $100 deposit when you place your order and pay the balance due when the ring arrives.

RING DANCE TRADITION

O

ver the past eighty years, Virginia Tech

Th e president of the university ceremonially

students and faculty have gathered to

announces the formal presentation of the rings.

celebrate the beloved and lasting tradition

“Moonlight and V.P.I”, a song written specifically

of Ring Dance. Established by the Class of 1935,

for the Ring Dance in 1942 by Fred Waring, with lyrics

Ring Dance weekend takes place in the spring of a

by Charles Gaynor, is performed in the background

student’s junior year.

as rings are presented to class members. For most

The dance is now held on two nights, with juniors choosing to attend either Friday or Saturday evening.

The celebration each night includes a ceremonial ring presentation in Squires Commonwealth Ballroom. Couples receive ribbons in their class

junior Cadets, this is their first view of the class ring, since they have been picked up and then hidden by their freshmen escorts until the dance. At the conclusion of the song, hundreds of balloons are released on civilians and students below.

colors, used to tie each other’s rings on their wrists

The grand finale of the weekend takes place after

for their ring presentation. Traditionally, the women

the Saturday night dance at midnight with a

wear the darker ribbon, while the men wear the

spectacular show of fireworks over the Drillfield. It is

lighter ribbon.

traditional for the students to watch from the War

For both dance nights, time-honored rituals are performed by the Corps of Cadets as they have

Memorial. Finally, “Silver Taps” is played and a report from the Skipper Cannon concludes the event.

since 1934. On Friday night, junior Cadets march into the ballroom to form the Ring Figure of their graduating class, followed by the formation of the Sabre Arch. Under this arch, freshmen Cadets escort each Cadet’s date. On Saturday night, a special Corps Sabre Arch is performed.

SAVE THE DATE for Ring Dance Weekend March 27-28, 2015

VIRGINIA TECH JOIN US IN MARCH

A

Cadets’s Ring Figure and Sabre Arch on one night.

time at this university. The memories that have been

weekend festivities.

s we begin our junior year at Virginia Tech, it is clear to me that, as members of the Class of 2016, we have already experienced

so many of the wonderful things that will define our made and the friendships that have been created will

presentation of the rings through the Corps of A fireworks display on the Drillfield Saturday will serve as a conclusion to the incredible

last far beyond our four years spent as students; the

Please join the 2016 Ring Dance Committee and

ring tradition is no exception. Since 1911, every class

2016 Leadership Team for a weekend affair that

has had the opportunity to create a personalized ring

only a Virginia Tech junior has the opportunity to

that captures the memories of its time at Virginia

experience. We promise this weekend to be one of

Tech. With a tradition this grand, a celebration

your most cherished memories at Virginia Tech and

of equal measure was created. Ring Dance is an

look forward to celebrating with you.

opportunity for our Class to celebrate the

Respectfully,

milestones and achievements made during our time at Virginia Tech, while also eagerly looking forward to what the future has in store for each of us. We commemorate this long-standing tradition with a weekend in March that will be remembered for a lifetime.

On behalf of the 2016 Ring Dance Committee, I have Photo by Alyssa Ta, Class of 2016 Historian

the honor and pleasure of cordially inviting you to join us in the tradition of Ring Dance. This unforgettable weekend will pay tribute to 105 years of our Ring Tradition and 81 years of Ring Dances, as well as the treasured experiences (past, present, and future) of the Class of 2016. The formal Ring Dance weekend will consist of a special event on Thursday night and the choice of a fun-filled night of dancing on either Friday or Saturday. The event will recognize the success of the Junior Class and feature the

RYAN HOPKINS Ring Dance Chair Class of 2016

WARRANTY LENGTHS AND CONDITIONS OF GUARANTEE REGARDING DEFECTS IN MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP: The rings are warranted to be free of defect in workmanship and materials.

LENGTH AND SCOPE OF GUARANTEE REGARDING STONES AND STONE DECORATION: Any damaged simulated stone will be replaced at no charge regardless of the cause of damage.

CONDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED CHARGES FOR RING RESIZING AND RING ADJUSTMENTS: The ring will be resized at any time at no charge.

CONDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED CHARGES FOR REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED RINGS: If through normal

wear and tear a ring is worn beyond satisfaction, it may be exchanged for a new ring. There is no charge for this remake. If a ring is damaged beyond satisfaction outside of these parameters, another ring can be purchased for the cost of Balfour’s existing remake charge.

ONDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED CHARGES FOR C ORDERING ADDITIONAL RINGS: Additional rings may

be ordered at any time. After December 31, 2016, the rings may be ordered at the prevailing price at time of order. Prevailing price will be determined according to cost of gold and stones at the time of ordering.

CONDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED CHARGES FOR CHANGES IN ACADEMIC COLLEGE DESTINATION: A classmate who changes colleges at Virginia Tech after a ring is purchased may return the ring to be remade with proper designation at no charge.

REFUND POLICY FOR RINGS RETURNED FOR STUDENTS WHO FAIL TO GRADUATE WITH THE CLASS DESIGNATED ON THE RING: A classmate who

fails to graduate with their Class may return the ring for a full refund less Class dues.

RESPONSIBILITY AND PROCEDURES FOR RESOLVING DISPUTES REGARDING THE VALIDITY OF WARRANTY CLAUSES: Disputes as to the validity of the warranty clauses will be

resolved by the Ring Design Committee. With Balfour’s philosophy that the customer is always right, such arbitration by the Committee should never be necessary.

CONDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED CHARGES FOR RESTORING RING FINISH: Should a classmate not be totally

satisfied with his or her original choice of finish, refinishing would be completed at no charge.

CONDITIONS ON HOW REPAIRS ARE MADE, WHOM TO CONTACT, AND HOW SHIPPING RATES ARE HANDLED: Prior to graduation, service dates will be established to

handle any adjustments. All shipping, handling and insurance costs will be the responsibility of Balfour during these sessions.­

Photo by Miles Clark, Class of 2015

VIRGINIA TECH

CLASS LEADERSHIP TEAM Row 1: Kayla Farrell, Grace Morgan, Sarah Adams, Caitlin Wilkinson, Cathryn Schwing, Ariana Mollers, Martha Roszak Row 2: Tanushri Shankar, Colette Julson, Sydney Seidenberg, Izzy Siemon-Carome, Ashley Folden, Christina Patterson, Alyssa Ta, Nicolette Glasure Row 3: Naveen Gupta, Will Porzio, Sean Goodrich, Jacob Rendall, Matthew Merritt, Walter Gonsiewski Row 4: Andrew Mitchell, Alexander Jones, Ryan Hopkins, Luke Carroll, Joey Sorrentino, Eric Daly Not Pictured: Nichole Jessie

www.vt.edu/classring www.class.alumni.vt.edu/2016 www.alumni.vt.edu/classrings

Scan the QR Code with your smartphone to learn more about the Class of 2016 ring.

Class Programs Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association.