A University committee faced a daunting task in 2012.
It was asked to create the first official graduation ring in the 113-year history of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The challenge: to help design a ring that would symbolically bind multiple generations of students.
The committee, which represented students, alumni, faculty, and administrators, worked with Balfour, one of the leading manufacturers of class and championship rings.
Balfour representative Denise Plessala, guided the committee from the start. The first step was to choose the color of the ring’s stone, she explained.
Red seemed obvious. Although the University has had four names, its official colors, vermilion and white, have remained a constant. So, vermilion represents all alumni and today’s students.
But Plessala pointed out that several Louisiana universities have rings with red stones. She showed the committee samples, which ranged from pink to maroon. None seemed to be the right shade of red.
“Could a black stone work?” she asked.
Not really. The committee wanted the stone to be a true red.
A few weeks later, Plessala offered the committee a garnet-like crystal from the central Europe region of Germany and Austria. Committee members agreed it was the perfect color.
A mosaic fleur-de-lis sits on top of the stone. It’s the same fleur-de-lis design used on the championship rings of Ragin’ Cajuns® student-athletes since 2011.
“It represents sort of an ‘academic championship,’ ” said Matt Tarver, UL Lafayette’s branding manager.
The committee selected several other symbols that are carved into the metal band.
On one side, trees represent Cypress Lake, a campus landmark revered by generations of alumni and students. Cypress Lake is also depicted because the rings are kept there in a metal pirogue overnight, guarded by alligators and ROTC members. University President Dr. Joseph Savoie then presents the rings during a ceremony the next day.
On the other side of the ring, four bricks represent the names held by the University: Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, Southwestern Louisiana Institute, the University of Southwestern Louisiana and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
The bricks also signify the Walk of Honor, a path on campus that’s paved with bricks bearing the names of all University graduates, starting with the Class of 1903.
The last three words of the alma mater, “heart and hand,” are engraved on the inside of the band.
Dr. DeWayne Bowie, vice president for Enrollment Management, spearheaded the ring project.
“The committee set out to create the ring, but in the end, we merely brought together traditions and the spirit of many who’ve come to love the University. In essence, the ring created itself,” he said.