The Barometer Online

Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Molly Whiteside Students, alumni and faculty contributed to the new ring design unveiled by OSU Wednesday morning.

On OSU President Ed Ray's cue, black drapes - covering the design of OSU's official school ring - came down.

The unveiling ceremony, held in the Memorial Union Lounge Wednesday afternoon, drew a crowd of students and faculty. Alumni Director Jeff Todd and Ray spoke about the importance of such a symbol.

"The ring celebrates the entire OSU experience," Todd said.

The ring's design was a collaborative effort from alumni, students and faculty. It was approved by the Alumni Association and ASOSU before getting the final stamp of approval from Ray. Students who have achieved junior status or higher, recent graduates and OSU alumni are able to purchase the new ring.

"When I came to OSU from Ohio State in 2003, I was surprised that the university didn't have a ring," Ray said. "The idea behind this was that we should have a more consistent way of showing our tradition, to give a constant sense of what the university is about."

The ring design features landmarks familiar to any student, Corvallis resident or Oregonian. The ring's right panel displays a beaver, an image representing the university since 1910.

The other two images displayed on the ring are the Trysting Tree, which students have passed every day since 1890, and Mary's Peak.

The final landmark displayed on the ring is the Willamette River. The traditional "O" sitting on top of the ring has represented the university for more than a century.

The logic behind the ring was the same as the idea behind Benny Beaver, a unifying factor for the school, a symbol that people recognize, Ray said. A ring delivery celebration will be held at the university next spring.

"Throughout your lifetime, you'll be able to look back at the ring and remember all the fond memories you've made here," Todd said.

"It represents OSU that's for sure," said Mallory McAfee, a student majoring in chemistry. "If you had a single representation of OSU, this would be it."

Stacey McKinnis, an exercise and sport science major, liked the look of the ring. "I was expecting something really old-fashioned, but it has old and new elements to it."

"I was wondering, however, why the price of the ring wasn't mentioned," McKinnis said.

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