Students, Graduates Celebrate Tradition at Ring Ceremony

The University of Texas at Dallas has maintained a special tradition that marks the addition of new graduates to the University’s more than 127,000 alumni. Twice each year, before winter and spring commencement ceremonies, many students participate in the UT Dallas Ring Ceremony. The tradition continued April 20 at the spring 2022 Ring Ceremony where students were presented with their University rings.

Students, family members and guests were welcomed in the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Lecture Hall by University alumnus Kyle Edgington PhD’13, vice president for UT Dallas Development and Alumni Relations, who described his own deep academic and professional ties with the University and his respect for the traditions and history represented by the UT Dallas ring.

“The UT Dallas ring has a special history tied to the founding spirit of our University,” Edgington said. “When you put on your rings and dunk them in the reflecting pools outside later tonight, you will become a part of that history.”

UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson described the progress the University has made in fulfilling its vision of becoming one of the best public research universities in the nation, including the ongoing addition of state-of-the-art facilities on one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.

“Your UT Dallas ring is a visible connection to the Comets community and that community is one of the fastest growing in the United States,” said Benson. “In fact, we currently stand as the third fastest-growing public doctoral university in the country.”

Following Benson’s presentation of the rings, the recipients walked outside to one of the reflecting pools on the Margaret McDermott Mall where the students lined the pool for the tradition of dunking their new rings.