What is Ring Dance?
Ring Dance is a tradition dating back to 1934, where the graduating class comes together for a final dance representing the hard work of everyone in the Senior Class to earn their Aggie Rings. The dance’s theme changes every year based on the Class’s preference but has always and will always feature a large replica of the Aggie Ring as the focal point decoration. As each Senior steps into the Aggie Ring replica, they turn their ring so that the class year no longer faces them - it faces the world. As each Senior steps away from the ring, another two step in, continuing the tradition that will go on as long as there is an Aggieland.
Did you know?
Ring Dance has changed in appearance throughout the years. See how below!
The Storied History of Ring Dance
(1934-1940)
(1941-1950)
(1951-1960)
(1961-1970)
(1971-1980)
(1981-1990)
(1991-2000)
(2001-2010)
(2011-2020)
(2021-Present)
See the Full Story Below!
-
Full Story of Ring Dance
With a history spanning decades, Ring Dance has established itself as one of the most anticipated and valued traditions of any Aggie. The tradition originated in 1934, when, at the end of their Junior year, the rising Senior Class of '35 decided to have a Ring Banquet followed by a Ring Dance "at the first of the Senior year." The dance followed an hour and a half jazz concert by Vincent Lopez with a feature of "Bolero" and was reported to be a "financial (as well as social) success."
While the Ring Banquet only occurred the first year, the Ring Dance became a beloved dance centered around the Aggie Ring. In future years, it was a fitting sendoff for the Senior Class with Ring Dance moved to the end of Senior year instead of at the beginning, as the ring symbolizes its wearer is soon to be done with their days at Texas A&M University. The Senior Ring Dance has evolved over the years to reflect the ideas of each new class hosting it; however, the heart of Ring Dance has always remained the same—a celebration of the Senior Class as they receive their Aggie rings and make their way out into the world.
In the early days of Ring Dance, juniors and seniors were invited to attend and there was no cost of attendance. The event boasted music by the Aggieland Orchestra and a big replica of the Aggie ring for attendees to take pictures with. The event was originally hosted in Sbisa, meaning there was only one room for the festivities.
By 1940, Ring Dance had become a senior-only event. Tickets also became necessary to attend, being priced at $3.50.
By 1941, it was customary for the girls in attendance to walk their dates through a big replica of the Aggie Ring and flip their date’s ring around so the class year would face the world, representing the Senior Class being ready to face the world after graduation.
From 1943 to 1948, Ring Dance went through some slight changes due to the war. The university had entered a 12-month express cycle, and so one Ring Dance was held in January for one graduating class, and another was held in May for the next graduating class.
Ring Dance very briefly became an “all college” dance in 1947 for an unspecified reason; however, the event was back to being exclusively for seniors the following year.
1949 saw another year wherein two Ring Dances were held; only this time, it wasn’t due to any need for “express” graduates. Over 2,400 people participated in the event, so it needed to be split into two separate dances, one being held Friday night and one on Saturday night. The Senior Class issued cards saying what night couples would attend. During this year, the second mold for the Aggie Ring was also made.
In 1950, a Mrs. Texas A&M was nominated at Ring Dance.
While Aggie Rings had long been a symbol that an Aggie’s time at Texas A&M was coming to an end, and thereby a symbol of the Senior Class, many juniors were starting to wear the Aggie Ring, receiving backlash for doing so. In 1953, the Ring Committee ruled that 95 completed hours were needed to earn the ring, regardless of classification.
For the next several years, the Senior Ring Dance went on with few alterations or difficulties.
In 1967, Ring Dance at Texas A&M University was honored to be chosen as the venue for that year’s Vanity Fair finalists announcement. Finalists came from across Texas and were presented with bouquets of roses at the event.
In 1970, the Senior Ring Dance was made to span across an entire weekend, including small dances throughout the weekend and a dinner.
In 1978, Ring Dance became part of a larger itinerary of senior activities, including the Senior Weekend, Senior Bash, and Senior Banquet. This year also saw a second room added to Ring Dance, where a rock band would play for the guests in addition to a more formal orchestra. One final change was made this year as well: the requirements to earn the Aggie ring this year, now renamed to the Senior Class Ring, were changed from 95 completed hours to 92 hours, with 30 of those being from Texas A&M.
For the next several years, Ring Dance saw few changes, only slight increases in ticket price each year. While these price increases faced some criticism, all proceeds from ticket sales went to funding for the Senior Class’ gift to Texas A&M University.
By 1998, Ring Dance had grown to incorporate eight rooms, each with its own activities, showing a stark contrast between the original singular room in 1934 and revealing how much the tradition has grown.
In the mid-2000s, the Association of Former Students added a formal “turning of the ring” ceremony at commencement for students unable to attend Ring Dance. Seniors could now either turn their rings if they attended Ring Dance or at the official ceremony afterwards at graduation if they did not.
In 2017, there was a “turning of the ring” ceremony as a part of a final all-Senior Midnight Yell held at the end of Ring Dance.
Today, the Senior Ring Dance includes several of the same activities it has held over the years, as well as several new ones, including live bands, a casino, the Aggie ring replica, and a final yell practice. As the final event for the Senior Class before graduation, Ring Dance serves as a night of celebration and remembrance for the Senior Class’ time at Texas A&M University, before turning their Aggie Rings around and venturing into their futures.
Did you know?
Ring Dance isn't the only Senior Class Tradition. See the full story below!
The Storied History of
The Official Senior Class Tradition
Final Ball
(1904-1957)
Senior Banquet
(1929-1998)
Senior Weekend/Week
(1966-2004)
Senior Bash
(1974-1999)
See the Full Story Below!
-
Full Story of Senior Class Traditions
Throughout its long history, Texas A&M University’s Senior Class has hosted a plethora of traditions in addition to the well-known Elephant Walk and Ring Dance.
The first chapter of the Senior Class Tradition started in 1904 with the Final Ball. The event served as part of the Commencement Exercises for the graduating class, marking the end of their final day as students of the college. It consisted of a live orchestra, food catering, and dancing. Organized by the underclassmen, the Final Ball was the only dance open to all classes as a celebration of and final farewell to the graduating seniors.
In 1912, the Final Ball’s financial committee did not have enough funds to finance the dance, so they had to borrow the money. This started an initiative in the coming to years to pay off the debt and collect enough money to fully fund future balls.
Final Ball was moved to the night before Commencement Day in the spring of 1921.
In 1925, the second chapter of the Senior Class Tradition was started when the Senior Class decided to walk around campus again like their freshman year, starting the longstanding tradition of Elephant Walk
Starting in 1927, the Final Ball would be primarily organized by the Junior Class. All Classes were still allowed to attend.
The third chapter of the Senior Class Tradition, the Senior Banquet, started in the 1920s; however, there is no official start date on record. The Senior Banquet, first recorded in 1929, was originally an annual reception held by the university’s president in honor of the graduating class. The event’s itinerary consisted of several speakers, both from within the class and from guests, and a dinner.
In 1934, the Final Ball was moved to begin immediately after the commencement exercises.
In 1936, the Senior Banquet was organized to coincide with the fourth chapter of the Senior Class Tradition, Ring Dance, which had started two years prior in 1934. The banquet would precede the dance in Sbisa Dining Hall, with tickets for the two events being sold separately. The Senior Banquet would continue to be held alongside Ring Dance until its conclusion in 1998.
The Senior Banquet saw several additions to its itinerary in the coming years, with a presentation of the graduating class’ history in 1939, a performance by the Singing Cadets in 1943, and The Who’s Who Awards in 1947.
Due to the streamlining of graduates during World War II, several Final Balls were held in 1943, one being in January and the other in May. Another Final Ball was held in the fall semester of that year.
In 1945, there was no Final Ball. No official reason was given for this decision; however, the Final Ball was reinstated to the spring social calendar in 1946.
Due to the small enrollment size of the Senior Class, Student Activities paid part of the cost of the Senior Banquet and Ring Dance in 1945.
In 1950, the Senior Banquet was held at Duncan Hall instead of Sbisa Dining Hall.
Over the next several years, Senior Banquet would continue to grow in popularity alongside Ring Dance. In 1954, Senator Lyndon B. Johnson was invited to be a guest speaker. 1955 saw the biggest Senior Banquet in its history, with advanced sales of more than 850 tickets.
In 1957, the last Final Ball was held.
In 1959, couples tickets were sold for the first time at $10 per couple for both Senior Banquet and Ring Dance.
Senior Banquet returned to Sbisa Dining Hall in 1960. It would continue to switch between Sbisa and Duncan for several years.
In 1961, the Senior Banquet started to be sponsored by the Association of Former Students.
Starting in 1966, the weekend on which Senior Banquet and Ring Dance is held starts being referred to as Senior Weekend, starting the 5th chapter of the Senior Class Tradition. In 1969, Senior Weekend became the third Senior Class tradition.
In 1970, the Senior Banquet included a semi-formal dance.
In 1974, the Senior Banquet saw its largest attendance yet, so it needed to be split into two nights. Around 760 students attended each night.
1974 also saw the start of the sixth chapter of the Senior Class tradition, the Senior Bash, which kickstarted Senior Weekend with a night a food, drinks, and music at the Lakeview Club. A live band played a mix of hard rock and country western upon request.
In 1982, Senior Bash started to be held at the Texas Hall of Fame, where it would be held for the next decade.
In 1984, Senior Weekend festivities were able to raise enough funds to pay for the Senior Class gift. These festivities would continue to be a main source of financing for the class gift for the next several years.
In 1993, the Senior Weekend started to include a picnic, which was a completely free event that included recreational activities and a DJ. This event was last included in 1995.
In 1995, the Senior Bash was temporarily returned to the Lakeview Club for a more exclusive atmosphere. The Class of ‘45 was invited to the event since Senior Weekend symbolizes the last time the Senior Class will be together until their Class' Muster.
Senior Bash was returned to the Texas Hall of Fame in 1996.
In 1997, Senior Weekend was rebranded as Senior Week to include a whole week’s worth of festivities instead of just a weekend. The Senior Week consisted of the Senior Bash, Senior Banquet, and Ring Dance on the weekend, in addition to multiple festivities such as an ice cream social and karaoke night during the week.
In 1998, the last Senior Banquet was held.
In 1999, the last Senior Bash was held at Hurricane Harry’s.
Starting in 2003, the Senior Week festivities began to fade out, only consisting of reduced prices at restaurants throughout the week when wearing Class of ‘03 merch. The final Senior Week was held in 2004, concluding the history of Senior Class Traditions.
Along with Elephant Walk and Ring Dance, the Senior Class of Texas A&M University has always been host to a multitude of traditions. From the casual parties to the formal dances, the Senior Class traditions have served as a celebration of the graduating class at the end of their time as students, as well as a final farewell until the day of the Class’ 50-year reunion at Muster.
Did you know?
Ring Dance is funded through Senior Class merchandise fundraisers and generous donations from our Alumni.