by Jonathan (Robby) Glass, Class of 2009
For many, a class ring is merely a symbol of tradition, or something to wear to job interviews – like a portable diploma. For me, a class ring represents everything this University has come to mean to me. A class ring is steeped in symbolism. It is a circle, which represents unity and continuation; it is made of gold, which symbolizes strength; and it is stamped with the Trinity seal; which represents the history of the University. What do all these symbols have in common? They all show the past, present, and future of Trinity.
To wear a class ring is to show pride in the school. It is a constant reminder of the time I have spent here, the memories I have made, and the things I would like to forget. Each time I put on the class ring it will serve as a reminder of everything this University taught me. A college education is much more than what one learns in the classroom, it is the accumulation of every particle of knowledge one gains about life.
This University taught me that close friends are invaluable, that memories can never be taken away, and that if you do not at least try, you have already failed. Each time I put on my class ring it will serve to remind me of the bond I share with every person who has attended this University. It links me with the first class that attended Trinity in 1869, and it will link me with every student that attends Trinity after I graduate.
When I put on my class ring, I will be reminded of the strength of the University. Trinity has a long-standing tradition of uniting people for various causes. The “Mississippi Miracle,” which united the entire campus in a nation-wide online vote where we beat other colleges and universities much larger than ours is just one example. It took devotion and unity to outvote larger schools. Winning the “Play of the Year” shows the strength this University possesses to mold its students into people who can change the world, if we just set our minds to it.
In a University known for its lack of traditions, this is one tradition that is more than just mere tradition; it is a constant reminder of everything that has gone into this University, and thus, into me, to make me what I will one day become. So, what does a class ring mean to me? It means to carry all of the history of the school with me to remind myself of what has come before and what will come after.