“This ring is a special kind of beauty. I hope my friendship with you, just like this ring, goes round and round and never ends. My time here will become a pretty flower in my heart that never dies.” – Haina Fu, 2011-2012 international student from China
On Wednesday, April 11, 2012, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods President Dottie L. King, Ph.D., awarded 17 international and study abroad students with the treasured sterling silver international student ring. Etched with the continents surrounded by oak leaves, the ring is a unique reminder of their academic success and the rich cultural experience of attending an American women’s only Catholic liberal arts college.
“Those who wear the ring are educated women,” said Malia Hoffman, SMWC’s coordinator of campus ministry. “It is worn by women from all corners of the world.”
Students from China, South Korea, Taiwan and study abroad students from the U.S. received their rings in a moving ceremony in the Sacred Heart Chapel in the College’s historic Le Fer Hall. Elizabeth Coley ’10, assistant director of campus life, detailed the rich history of the College’s international ring ceremony.
“We want our international students to return to their country with this symbolic reminder of all those they came to know and love at The Woods,” Coley said.
The annual ceremony, which first began in 1995, marks the end of these diverse students’ time at The Woods. The students must complete one full semester in order to qualify for the ring. This cherished memento is a tangible reminder of academic and personal achievement during their cross-cultural experience.
These international students have the same courage as Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, King said. “You embody the same spirit,” she told them during the ceremony. “We are forever changed by your presence here. We hope you remember us fondly.”
Congratulations to the 2012 International Ring Recipients:
China:
Mingyue Fan
Haina Fu
Jixiang Gu
Jiayang He
Mengzi Jin
Yu He Lei
Erkang Li
Tiruo Liu
Yiqing Lu
Yi Yang
South Korea:
Ji Yeon Baek
Jisoo Lee
Taiwan:
Yi-Hsin Chen
Yi-Ting Chiang
Wan-Ting Chu
United States:
Nicole Francis
Charlene Gerdes