Mississippi State restores tradition of official class ring

After a brief absence, the traditional class ring has returned to the Mississippi State campus.

Senior Holly Polk of Picayune admires Mississippi State President and alumnus Malcolm Portera's official class ring.

Created in 1935, the official ring was the only design available for many years. Other versions introduced by manufacturers have been phased out and the "official" ring is the only design currently available for alumni and senior and junior students. The jewelry piece is produced and marketed under license from the university.

"Our goal is to once again make owning an official class ring a campus tradition," said John Correro, executive director of the Alumni Association, which was instrumental in restoring the class ring tradition.

L. G. Balfour Company of Austin, Texas, the supplier of Mississippi State's official class ring in 1935 when it was first developed, will again be the sole manufacturer of the official class ring.

The official ring displays deep-molded busts of Stephen D. Lee, the school's first president, on one side and the original bulldog mascot on the other side. The graduation year appears above the Lee bust and the academic degree letters above the bulldog.

The bulldog and Lee bust are emblazoned onto shields, which represent the defense of the school in both academics and athletics, as well as the university's land-grant mission and military background. Muskets and sabers behind the shields symbolize students and alumni who died defending the country.

An eagle atop the shield symbolizes the high ideals of the country, state, and university. In addition to school name, each ring carries a maroon stone in the form of a January garnet. The numerals "1878" represent the university's founding year.

Alumni and students wishing to purchase the official class ring may contact the Alumni Association at 662-325-2434, the Mississippi State Bookstore at 662-325-1576, or Balfour at 800-BALFOUR.