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 2012 Class Crest
2012 Class Crest, Norwich Class Ring
- The Chain
- The Chain around the bezel embodies the bonds of camaraderie formed during Rookdom. Each link in the chain demonstrates the strong bonds forged during our freshman year. It shows the strength and unity of the class of 2012 in that we are only as strong as the connections we have made with our fellow classmates..
- The Ivy
- The Ivy on the sides represents our development as a class and as individuals and it demonstrates how we matured from rooks into citizen soldiers. The 13 leaves of the ivy are attributed to the 13 original companies. The 13 leaves also represent the 13 original colonies in the American Revolution—the birth of the citizen-soldier.
- The Crossed Swords
- The Crossed Swords represent how intertwined the aspects of leadership are in that we must learn to follow before we can learn to lead. The NCO Sword represents how invaluable the professional soldier is not only to our development as leaders, but also shows the commitment of putting our subordinates ahead of ourselves. The Officer Sabre represents our commitment to our country and to our class, and that the lives of others are dependent upon our ability as leaders.
- The Sunset
- The Sunset immortalizes the last year of original companies, as well as the dawn of a new Corps of Cadets, even though it leaves behind the traditions of the past.
- The Hills
- The Hills in the background symbolize “Norwich Forever, Queen of the Hills.” Through the ups and downs of our college career, we will always remember the determination that it took for us to reach the summit, which symbolizes our progress to recognition, our assimilation into the Corps, and ultimately our graduation.
- 2036
- 2036 Is the time of our recognition on 1 MAR 2009.
- The Cadet Marching Vigil Tours
- The Cadet Marching Vigil Tours symbolizes our respect and honor to the men and women of our armed forces, past, present, and future who have paid the ultimate price for our nation, our ideals, and freedom.
- “Go Forward Without Fear“
- Our quote shows that no matter what the Class of 2012 faces from this day forth, this quote will symbolize our resolve and adaptability to changing situations. We face each day as a new challenge.
- The Service Flag on the Rook Piece
- The Service Flag on the Rook Piece is to dedicate a piece of our ring to those who answered the call to our nation.
