News Releases: Iowa State University

QUICK LINKS
Today's News
News releases
ISU homepage

NEWS RELEASE

04-16-03

Contacts:
Scott Dahl, Iowa State University Alumni Association, (515) 294-9529
Dan Woodin, ADP Center, (515) 294-6382
Annette Hacker, News Service, (515) 294-3720

Inaugural presentation ceremony is April 21
NEW IOWA STATE TRADITION HAS A NICE RING TO IT

AMES, Iowa -- Dan Woodin graduated from Iowa State University 29 years ago, and he'll finally receive his class ring at a special ceremony April 21.

Actually, Woodin is quick to point out that the new, official Iowa State University ring is much more than a class ring. It is a revived tradition, one in which all qualified Iowa State students and alumni will share the same ring. Woodin should know. He served two years on the volunteer committee to help design the official Iowa State ring. Woodin also is an information systems leader at Iowa State's Administrative Data Processing Center.

The gold ring was unveiled in February and has been carefully designed with many of Iowa State's important symbols: the campanile, the university's traditional motto: "Science with Practice," swans Lancelot and Elaine, the word "Cyclones" and the words "True and Valiant," from "The Bells of Iowa State."

The inaugural ring presentation ceremony will be held April 21 in the Campanile Room, Memorial Union. The event includes a 6:30 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. program. Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy and Alumni Association President Jeff Johnson will present approximately 60 guests with their official Iowa State rings.

Woodin and five of his family members -- all Iowa State alums -- will receive their rings at Monday's ceremony. They include (with graduation years in parentheses) his wife, Jackie Woodin (1974); daughter Audra Watson (1998); son-in-law Mark Watson (1998); son Austin Woodin (2002) and nephew Mark Mertens (2000). The women chose to add a single ruby to each of their rings.

"We wanted to make this a family tradition," Woodin says. "After graduating in 1974, I went out in the business community for three years, but then came back to Iowa State, where I have worked for more than 25 years now. This is home."

Woodin says his youngest daughter, Annon, an Iowa State freshman, is eagerly awaiting the day when she can receive her Iowa State ring. Youngest son Anson, a sixth-grader at Fellows Elementary in Ames, is right behind his sister. Both will have to wait.

The ring is available exclusively to undergraduate students who have completed at least 60 ISU credit hours and have achieved junior or senior status. Others qualified to order the ring include graduate and transfer students who have completed at least 30 ISU credit hours, any student in his or her final semester of classes not meeting the minimum credit requirements, and anyone who holds an Iowa State degree.

A committee of students and alumni worked with the Iowa State University Alumni Association, University Book Store and the vendor, Milestone Traditions, to design a ring they hope will last 100 years or more. It is the only Iowa State ring available to students and alumni. Each ring is custom-made in either yellow or white gold. Rings may be engraved with the recipients' initials, degree letters and class year, and a diamond or ruby accent may be added.

Future ring presentation ceremonies will be held during fall and spring semesters. Those unable to attend a ceremony may pick up their rings at University Book Store during normal business hours, or the rings can be shipped if a trip back to campus isn't possible.

-30-