Know Our History: Rings and Roses

Rings and Roses is a relatively new tradition, started in 2002 by the class of 2004 who chose the current design and created the ceremony. The first standardized jewelry however began in 1897 with a pin design contest that Ida Marion Doherty, class of 1900, won. The pins, which were created by Tiffany & Co, were gold with tiny seed pearls around the edge and a pale blue enamel inlay with the letters “MH”.  Rings eventually became preferred, and designs have varied. Freshmen would design their ring each year. For a long time, class rings were more popular than college rings, decorated with class animal and color.