The Class of '91 committee chose not to include them, but the '92 committee did include them and they have been a feature ever since, while the designs have become very elaborate, especially once classes began to include things like a "hacker's map" inside the ring, whereas we simply had our name engraved there. Lastly, the skylines were added by the Class of '90, not '89. It's all a bit overwhelming at times to witness since we did just go up to the table in Lobby 10 to pick ours up with no ceremony, and no party at Fenway Park or during a dinner cruise.
Yes, the premiere, the ring delivery event, and nearly every aspect of the process has become MUCH more elaborate than it was when we were students, as have many aspects of MIT student life. Regardless of the year, if you ever lose your ring, you can contact the company that manufactured your year and they can make you a new one because they have saved the moulds used. You'll commonly see students on campus wearing these "grey" rings, and some may ask you, as they did of me, "You wear your GOOD ring?" because they aren't aware that we only bought one.Īt different times there were exclusive ring contracts with particular companies, and then during the 1980s it was an annual competition between Balfour, Jostens, and Herff Jones, with the added wrinkle that these rings began to be custom designed. In fact, one difference is that some students purchase two rings, one cast from a material that I believe is a steel alloy, the other from gold, the way ours were. The statement about the rings being "given" was a poor choice of words the rings are still purchased by students. There are many historical aspects of the ring not actually covered or were factually inaccurate as stated. To learn if your ring is eligible for reproduction, please contact Jostens at 80 or use the Contact Us feature.There were some things in the video that weren't fully explained, and lacked some context, and the comments here reflect that. Jostens can most likely replace MIT rings for these classes. Read: " Care and Feeding of Brass Rats" Resources Additionally, MIT Coop Members enjoy a 10% discount through this vendor. Herff-Jones sells genuine Brass Rats and while the overall design is generic and would not match the design originally chosen by a particular class, class years are displayed. Balfour/Artcarved keeps the original molds for class rings indefinitely, but other vendors may destroy molds after 10 years. Need to replace your ring? Contact the appropriate vendor below to see about your particular class's Brass Rat. Graduate Students: Learn more about MIT's official Graduation Ring for Graduate Students and Graduate Alumni.
Learn more about the history of the Brass Rat and see bezel designs from decades past. It's MIT's distinctive Brass Rat and it's more than just a class ring, but an instantly identifiable badge of fellow alumni. It's a cocktail party icebreaker and the thing that sparks instant camaraderie at a job interview.