By David Randall
BYU student Bryan Vernetti has a cousin who attends Texas A&M and has heard about their traditions with class rings.
'She said there are a lot of people whose main deal is to get the ring,' he said.
The Texas A&M rings are purchased by virtually all of the students with a required number of credits, and forms a connection between those who have attended the university, according to those familiar with the school.
The beginnings of a ring tradition came to BYU Mar. 4, and Vernetti, 24, a senior from Bentonville, Ark., who majors in international law and diplomacy, said he is excited.
'I think it''d be cool in 15 years if I''m some place, anywhere in this the country or around the world, to have someone see the ring and say, ''Hey, I graduated from BYU, too,''' he said.
The rings, being sold through the Milestone Traditions company will offer one style for all graduates from all graduating classes, to create the same kind of atmosphere the rings at Texas A&M have created.
Page Singletary, company representative from Milestone, said he has received over 10 orders and the reactions have been positive.
Some, like BYU Alumni David Walsh, may disagree. Walsh said he wishes other elements like a beehive, might have been incorporated in the design, which features the 'Y' mountain and chalk circle of honor.
Also, Walsh said he wishes there was more of a variety.
'I think it really shows what we as students wanted to get out of the ring,' said Thom Carter, a student representative who helped select the design.
Those involved in creating the ring included Bookstore employees, alumni representatives and students.
Coby Page, fellow student representative, who graduated in December, said there were some other elements that he wanted to include at one point, like a cougar on the side and an engraving of the year of graduation, but he said he is pleased with the final product.
The rings can be ordered in the bookstore, and if rings are ordered before Friday, Singletary said they can be picked up by students at the same time graduates pick up a cap and gown.
A common question Singletary receives about the rings concerns the cost. Prices range from $300-$450 depending on the ring style and type of gold.
He said pilot programs at other universities could lower the price of the BYU ring to around $200 by using sterling silver. He added that a set part of the price comes from the investment Milestone makes in creating a tradition.
'What sells the ring is the meaning, what gives meaning is the marketing,' he said.