As the focal point of the bezel, the beaver is larger than in past years and in strong relief. Like the original 1930s beaver, our beaver faces left, holds a branch, and sits on a pile of sticks. At one end of the branch, four leaves form the number 141, as we are the one hundred forty-first class to graduate from the Institute. The branch transitions into a diploma, signifying the culmination of our four years at MIT. The beaver sits by its natural habitat, a river. The bed of sticks is part of the Charles River bank and hides “IHTFP.” In the background is a panorama of the Institute, complete with Kresge, the Domes, and the Green Building. Because students cross the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge frequently, the bridge is prominent; it connects MIT to Boston and the outside world. Behind the bridge, a boat representing Ocean Engineering departs into the horizon. The sail takes the form of a DNA helix and is symbolic of the new Biological Engineering major.

The focus of the Class Shank is the Great Dome. Its head-on view is inspired by the original 1930s class ring. The Dome, in all its grandeur, is where we first congregated for our class picture and is where we will come together once again to graduate. On the top of the Dome is our class number, 141, in binary. “Massachvsetts Institvte of Technology” is held onto the Dome by screws that symbolize how students feel about the rigorous academics they endure. The clouds above the Dome spell “Punt” and “Tool,” corresponding with our constant fight to achieve balance in our social and academic lives. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and a symbol of MIT’s computing system, stands in Killian Court. An owl is perched on her shoulder, as is traditional in classic mythology. Athena offers the globe in her hand, illustrating both that the world is for our taking as well as MIT’s profound international influence. In honor of Susan Hockfield, the Institute’s first female president, Athena dons presidential regalia with five bars on her right sleeve and a sash. Our class year appears at the bottom of the class shank. The font and placement are the same as the original 1930s ring.

The seal pictures a scholar with a book and a worker at an anvil, symbolizing the union of knowledge and research with mechanical arts. The figures stand atop the Institute’s Latin motto Mens et Manus. “The Latin motto Mens et Manus-- ‘Mind and hand’- - and the two volumes, Science and Art, on the pedestal also reflect the ideal of cooperation between knowledge and practical science.” The unadulterated MIT seal is central to the seal side of the ring. This has been the official Institute seal since 1863. In the upper right-hand corner are oak and laurel leaves, symbols of strength and distinction. Juxtaposed with the natural imagery is a man-made object: a circuit board. The circuit board is a representation of technology, progress, and innovation. The “MIT” below the seal is stylized to mimic the 1930s ring.

The Boston and Cambridge skylines are featured on opposite sides of the ring to remind us of the surroundings we see daily at MIT. While we are at MIT, we wear our rings so that the Boston skyline, representing the world outside MIT, faces us. At graduation, we reverse the ring so we can fondly remember the Institute’s campus. The Cambridge skyline is set at night, since MIT students are well known for their nocturnal habits.

This engraving is an accurate map of the main campus buildings that students can access without going outside. MIT has a tradition of hacking, and the underground tunnel system alludes to the secretive hacking culture. This map is truly a Hacker’s Map in that it features the extensive underground tunnel system.

To order your ring so that you can receive it at Ring Delivery, visit our booth in Lobby 10
February 13th - 17th and 20th - 23rd

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