To accommodate over 110 ring recipients, SMWC held two ring day ceremonies in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. The 10 a.m. ceremony honored campus students, while the 1 p.m. ceremony honored Woods Online and graduate students.
Receiving a Woods Ring is an emotional experience, but this year served with more significant meaning. 2022 marks the 100th anniversary of the Woods Ring. Along with the anniversary, this year’s ceremonies were held in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the first since 2019 due to the pandemic. Emilee Roush, Junior class president, shared that their class was very excited to experience this beloved tradition back in the church.
After each recipient has been presented their ring, they can take a flower to someone in attendance to exhibit their appreciation and support during the student’s journey. Flowers can be given to family, faculty members, staff members or friends. Through the years, it’s become a beloved tradition during the Ring ceremony.
Along with being class president, Roush also received a family legacy ring, which belonged to her grandmother, Patricia Roush ’88. “She came to college here right out of high school but only made it two of the four years. She got married, had six kids, and came back to finish her degree when her youngest, my dad, was finishing up high school. In high school, I found out that my grandma was a Woods alum. She taught me everything she knew about The Woods and Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. Fast forward three years, and she offered to give me the ring she was presented with over 30 years ago. Of course, I said yes, so here we are. I am so excited to have received her ring on my ring day, in the same church she received the ring,” explained Roush.
Emilee was so happy that her grandmother was able to attend the Ring Ceremony to support her.
“I can’t find the words to describe how much it means to me because it means that much. The feeling is just tremendous. I am just so happy that she gets to wear it now.” Patricia Roush ’88.
Not only does the day make students feel more connected to The Woods, but for mother/daughter duo Kara and Emma Leturgez, it deepened their connection to each other. Both are 2022 ring recipients. Kara, an employee in the SMWC business office who handles student accounts, is a Woods Online student. Her daughter, Emma, is a campus student. Both received rings and were honored to take part in the tradition together.
“She’s always supported me, and getting to share this is so special, and it’s a great memory to have together,” said Emma.
“It’s a milestone for both of us to have this moment together, and I am so thankful that we will have this memory to share as mother and daughter. I could not imagine doing this without her and am so thankful we will have this special moment together with our two other best friends (husband Jason and daughter Hayle) celebrating with us as guests,” Kara shared.
The Woods Ring serves as a symbol of academic achievement, as students must be enrolled in their 90th credit hour to ensure their eligibility for a Woods Ring. For Polet Horsley, it was an emotional day for both her and her family, as she’s a first-generation college student. She said receiving her Woods Ring will always serve with great importance throughout her life. She feels even more connected to alumni as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Woods Ring.
“It serves as a reminder of my academic achievements here at The Woods. Knowing that there have been generations before me that have walked through the same steps as I have, I can see what accomplishments they have made and use that to inspire me to achieve my goals here at The Woods,” Horsley explained.
Amanda Johnson, an MLD student in the graduate program said about receiving her ring, “This is the biggest honor of my adult life. To be a part of the 100th anniversary of the ring is overwhelming.”
Roush explained that it was only fitting that this year’s theme for the ceremonies was ‘Tradition.’
“The decision to choose ‘Tradition’ as our theme was a super easy choice. My favorite thing about The Woods is the traditions that have held strong for many years. It is only fitting that the 100th anniversary of our most beloved tradition honors one of the things that makes our school so unique,” said Roush.
President Dottie L. King, Ph.D. said it well, “This theme is perfect for our ring ceremony, especially this year. I can’t imagine there are many college rings that are presented to students by the president and celebrated in a grand ceremony in a church, that includes a Ring Song. There really is no place like The Woods.”
Watch the ceremonies below!