Ring ceremony honors Tarleton students and generations of Texans.

BY KELLAN BYARS

Multimedia Journalist

Tarleton State University celebrated one of its most cherished traditions Friday, Sept. 19, as students gathered for the fall 2025 Ring Ceremony inside the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center. Hundreds of Texans received their class rings, marking their transition from student life to lifelong alumni.

The Ring Ceremony at Tarleton, a beloved tradition overseen by the Tarleton Alumni Association, is held each semester to welcome students into the university’s lifelong community.  

The class ring, featuring the university seal, year and iconic campus imagery, symbolizes loyalty, pride and academic achievement. It connects the wearer to generations of Texans who have passed through Tarleton.

For many students, the Ring Ceremony was more than a formal event; it reflected how deeply Tarleton traditions shape their sense of belonging. Senior Tatum Brubaker described the moment as “a bookend” to her time at Tarleton.

“Getting my Tarleton ring is a representation of my time here,” Brubaker said. “I waited until my last semester to get my ring, so it truly felt like the perfect way to close my journey.”

Brubaker’s experience was made even more memorable by an unexpected twist.  

“I actually didn’t think I was going to get my ring in time for the ceremony,” Brubaker said. “The day before, I got the message that it was ready, so I woke up early and drove to Waco to pick it up. I made it back with about 30 minutes to spare. Putting it on was a crazy feeling because 24 hours before that, I didn’t think I was going to have that memory.”

She said the moment reminded her how much she had grown during her years at Tarleton.

“Thinking back on my Tarleton journey makes this moment even more special, because I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t chosen Tarleton,” Brubaker said. “In a way, my ring represents everything I’ve accomplished here – and how much I’ve grown.”

For many students like Brubaker, the ceremony echoes the same pride felt during other Tarleton traditions. Each event connects students to something bigger than themselves, reminding them that Tarleton’s legacy is built on shared moments and community spirit. Watching parents and alumni take part makes the milestone even more meaningful, turning a single evening into a lasting symbol of Tarleton pride and unity.

Beyond its shining gold and engraved seal, the Tarleton ring represents the heart of the university’s traditions and community spirit. Much like long-standing customs such as the Purple Poo, the Ring Ceremony reinforces what it means to be a Texan.  

Families often play a central role, with parents, grandparents and alumni presenting rings to students, creating emotional moments that bridge generations. For many, it’s a symbol that their Tarleton story has come full circle.

Through traditions like these, the university continues to strengthen its legacy, ensuring that the Tarleton spirit endures in every student, family and alumnus who wears the ring. 

As the ceremony ended, students and families lingered, not wanting the memory to end. Some compared rings, and many paused for photos at the ring statue, a symbol they had grown to cherish.

In the quiet after the applause, it was clear the evening meant more than a simple presentation of jewelry. It marked years of effort, relentless pursuit of knowledge and personal growth. It opened the beginning of a new chapter for proud Tarleton students.

For those who walked out of the Fine Arts Center that night, their rings were more than gold or silver – they were a promise. A promise to carry the Tarleton spirit with them wherever life takes them, forever bound by the traditions that made them Tarleton Texans.