Tradition Of The
Virginia Tech Ring Dance

Established by the Class of 1935, the lasting tradition of Ring Dance takes place during the spring of a student's junior year. Created twenty-one years after the inception of the Ring Program, the Ring Dance weekend has grown to be one of the most prestigious events celebrated by students and faculty of Virginia Tech. Even in its sixty-ninth year, the Ring Dance tradition continues to instill the spirit and strength of the university.

Ring Dance weekend commences with an elegant semi-formal banquet to honor the namesake of the collection. The following night the tradition of the Virginia Tech Ring culminates in the Ring Presentation Ceremony.

Upon arrival to the ballroom, each couple receives ribbons in their class colors. Traditionally the woman wears her date's ring on her wrist with the darker ribbon, while the gentleman will wear his date's ring on his wrist with the lighter ribbon until the formal exchange of the rings. The Ring Presentation is begun with a time-honored ritual performed by the Corps, as the Junior Cadet's march into the ballroom forming the year of the graduating class. Following is the traditional formation under which each Junior Cadet's date is escorted by a freshman Cadet. The President of the University then ceremoniously announces the formal exchange of Rings. As each couple presents their rings, "Moonlight and VPI," written specifically for the Ring Dance by Fred Waring with lyrics by Charles Gaynor, is sung. At the conclusion of the song, hundreds of balloons are released on the couples below. The evening comes to a close at midnight with fireworks over the Drillfield, accompanied by the playing of "Silver Taps."

The Class of 2004 cordially invites you to join us in embracing and celebrating one of the university's most distinguished and time-honored traditions: the Virginia Tech Ring Dance.