The Norwich class ring is presented to the Junior Class members of the Corps at the Junior Ring Ceremony. The Norwich ring is the most prized of a cadet's worldly possessions, and much effort goes into earning the right to wear it.
The ring tradition at Norwich began in the spring of 1923, when the senior class adopted a class ring for each member of the class who would graduate in June. It was expected that each class would follow the precedent of the class of 1923. In time, the process of ring design and presentation shifted to the Junior year. However, it was not until the mid-1960s that a policy for standardization of the ring design was in place.
Accordingly, each class is permitted to design one side of the ring. The second side of the class ring, however, must conform to a University standard in the interest of maintaining a distinctive tradition.
The Norwich rings, like the service academy rings, feature a class crest on one side and the school crest on the other, with a bezel surrounding a stone or similar inset on top. Tradition dictates that the cadet wear the class crest facing him/her until graduation, when the ring is turned around so that the Norwich crest faces the wearer. This tradition links the wearer more closely to his/her class until graduation and to all the Norwich Corps graduates after graduation.
Norwich side, Norwich Class Ring
The Norwich Side
- Cavalry Sabers
- Flanking either side of the shield, they represent our kinship with Vermont's first cavalry. Today, cadet officers wear sabers in lieu of carrying rifles.
- NUCC Scroll
- Flowing on either side of the shield, the scroll distinguishes those who wear the ring as members of the Norwich University Corps of Cadets.
- Norwich Shield
- Depicts a cannon and an engineer's transit in the foreground of a mountain range, with the rays of the morning sun rising above it. The cannon represents the military heritage of the institution; an engineer's transit represents our academic mission. Finally, the rising sun over the Green Mountains represents the light of knowledge flowering on “The Hill.” The numerals 1819 hallmark the founding date of the University.
- Eagle
- Surmounted on the Norwich shield, symbolic of strength and courage in its depiction of both our school and as our national symbol.
- Honor Scroll
- Superimposed upon the talons of the eagle, it stands for the fundamental attributes of character. Honor is a virtue which impels loyalty and courage, truthfulness and self respect, justice and generosity. A cadet's honor is never in question if he or she is true in thought, word, and deed.
- “I Will Try”
- It was said to have been used as a rallying cry by a former president of the university, Truman Bishop Ransom, before his death as he charged a hill at the Battle of Chapultapec during the Mexican War. It conveys the spirit of the University and has been adopted as our motto: “I will try.”
The 2009 Class Crest
This year’s ring design tells the overall story of the adversities the Class of 2009 faced together and the goals we pursue. Our journey starts at the bottom of the ring with the Rook Piece and moves upwards through the many symbols of our time here at Norwich to the pinnacle of our trek, Commissioning and Graduation.
- Rook Piece
- The Rook Piece represents the foundation that would allow us to build and grow to be men and women of courage, honesty, temperance and wisdom. On the Rook Piece is etched 3.26.06, commemorating the night that welcomed us into the ranks of the Corps of Cadets.
- MCV Gates
- The first symbol through which we passed, the MCV Gates welcomed the Class of 2009 into the Military College of Vermont. For the first time, we marched in formation through these gates, 355 strong. Together, we faced many challenges until recognition, when 278 recruits became cadets.
- Cadre Passage
- After entering through the gates, we passed through a channel of those Cadet Leaders who would lead us through our freshman year. There they stood tall with military bearing, proud and confident, an example of what we would become.
- Cadet saluting the Captain Alden Partridge Statue
- Here stands a nameless cadet saluting Captain Alden Partridge. This gesture of respect honors our past, celebrates our present, and anticipates our future.
- Statue of Liberty
- Lady Liberty represents the connection we share as Americans with each of our classmates. No matter our separate backgrounds, we share the common bond of freedom and democracy.
- Artillery Piece
- his serves as a reminder of the thunderous blast that woke us each day during Rookdom and continues to sound each morning when we render honors to the Colors.
- White Chapel
- Displaying the time of our recognition, 2335 hours, the I.D. White Memorial Chapel stands to remind us of the Honor Code. It was in the chapel we were taught that “A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do”.
- Eagle and Ensign
- The eagle stands strong with wings expanding, fading into the American flag to always remind us of the country we choose to serve. The nine stars represents the Class of 2009.
- Vires Per Adversum - “Strength Through Adversity”
- This motto recalls both the obstacles faced and the perseverance demonstrated by the Class of 2009.
- Service Flag
- The Service Flag is shown as the highest symbol on our ring. It reminds us of all of those who have paid the ultimate price of freedom through their selfless service and a chosen profession of arms many of us will enter.
