Twenty-three Texas A&M University School of Law students received their Aggie Rings on Friday, Sept. 23, at the Sheraton Fort Worth.
Before the ceremony began, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Yell Leaders joined us for Yell Practice to #BTHOArkansas.
Director of Former Students, Alumni and External Relations Kristi Kaiser Trail ’00 welcomed students, faculty, staff, family and friends. She received her ring on April 6, 2000, and wears it with pride.
“My Aggie Ring turned sweet sixteen this past April,” she said. “Ring days are my favorite here at the law school.”
John Griffin ’09, Texas Wesleyan Law ’12, delivered remarks on the history and tradition of the Aggie Ring and shared his journey with the ring and its purpose. Griffin is corporate counsel for Alliance Data in Plano. While at Texas A&M, he served in the Corps of Cadets and on the Cadet Leadership Council.
He said the Aggie Ring, one of the most recognized symbols in Texas, is a major milestone in [an Aggie’s] life.
“Many of you remember the first time you saw an Aggie Ring,” he said. “Mine was my parents’.” He would often put his dad’s ring on his thumb and imagined getting his own.
“I knew one day I’d be an Aggie, and I couldn’t wait to get my own [ring],” he said.
Unfortunately, his dad’s ring was misplaced. Though, according to Griffin, it may or may not have been misplaced by him. In 2008, when it finally came time for Griffin to get his Aggie Ring, he said he felt something wasn’t right.
“It didn’t feel right to receive one knowing my dad didn’t have his anymore,” he said. On the day Griffin was presented with his ring, he was able to deliver a new ring to his dad.
“So please, try your hardest not to lose your Aggie Ring,” he said.
Dean and Anthony G. Buzbee Dean’s Endowed Chair Andrew Morriss said that the Aggie Ring is a “particularly wonderful thing for lawyers.”
“Lawyers need a network, and you’ve got the best one,” he said.
Morriss and Terence Cook, Assistant Dean of Admissions, presented the Aggie Rings to students from the classes of ’16 and ’17.
A reception followed, along with a chance to pose with the First Lady of Aggieland, Reveille.
Learn more about the Aggie Ring tradition. The next Law School Ring Day will be held Nov. 4, 2016.
- Article by Jennifer Nassar, Communications Specialist, Texas A&M University School of Law