One Ring, One University.

History of the Class Ring

The Johns Hopkins University adopted a single ring tradition in 1998. A group of students selected the University seal for the design because it represented one University. Available to students and alumni of all nine schools, the ring continues as a symbol of one vibrant community of Johns Hopkins students and alumni. 

History of the University Seal

Adopted by the board of trustees on December 7, 1885, the seal represents the university’s dedication to the advancement of knowledge in service to the community and the world. The design originates from the collaborative work of Baltimore historian Clayton C. Hall, Esq., and Stephen Tucker, Esq., the Somerset Herald at the College of Arms in London.

The Ring Program and the Engaging Future Alumni Committee 

In Fall 2015, the Awards and Nominations Committee of The Johns Hopkins Alumni Council (now known as the Engaging Future Alumni Committee) adopted the Ring Program to help grow the program and expand its marketing endeavors.   

A portion of the cost of the ring supports the Alumni Association.

caRING Program

The Awards and Nominations Committee of The Johns Hopkins Alumni Council will award official university rings to nine eligible* students, one from each division, who have excelled in leadership activities and positively impacted the campus and/or the community while in school. The application for the caRING program will open in December of 2024.
 
Based upon demonstrated need and interest, one official Celestrium Hopkins ring will be awarded to a student from each of the nine divisions. The recipients will be notified in early March so they can meet with the Balfour representative by mid-March.  The rings will be presented at the annual Ring Ceremony and Reception on May 20, 2025 at 5:30pm ET on the Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus in Baltimore, MD.

To be considered, you must complete the full application by Friday, February 14, 2025 at 11:59pm ET. If you have any questions, please email Annie Koogle at akoogle1@jhu.edu.

Ring Purchases and the Ring Ceremony

Each ring purchased (within a specific timeline, to be posted shortly) will be held at the Balfour office and will be shipped to campus for the annual Ring Ceremony. If you would like a ring shipped directly to you, please email Jenn Fisher in the Office of Alumni Relations at jennfisher@jhu.edu. 

The 2025 Ring Ceremony and Reception will take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:30pm ET on the Homewood campus. 

Ring Testimonies

"In 2000, I came to Shriver Hall to be part of that first group of ring recipients, I remember Shriver being packed at that time with loads of alumni and a fair collection of seniors such as myself.  It was most memorable and special being part of that first group.  In the late ‘70s there was a cartoon program on TV called the Wonder Twins, these twins had super powers whenever they touched their rings together and announced 'Wonder Twin powers activate!' As we were approaching finals on campus many of us that had the rings would often use this phrase as we touched our rings together in the hopes that super knowledge would flow freely.  I’m not saying I believed in it, but I did pretty darn well!

All joking aside, I had no idea at that time what wearing the Johns Hopkins University Ring would mean.  Fast forward a few years later and I am sitting on a flight coming back from a business trip overseas, a gentleman sits down next to me and before I can place my tray in the upright position, he announces, 'so you’re a Blue Jay?', needless to say we had a great conversation sharing stories about our time at Hopkins and how there are a network of alumni all over the world.  Since that time I have run into other Hopkins grads frequently and the ring really does have superpowers in that it connects all of us with a single symbol."

Bryan M. McMillan, Bus '00, '02