Traditions
How does a tradition start? Who starts a tradition? Which football team was the first to dump a cooler of Gatorade on their winning coach? Why do professional hockey players keep the puck when they score their first NHL goal? Why do graduates move their tassel from the right side of their mortarboard to the left to signify they have received their degree? Who decided that engineers should wear a pinky ring?
The origins of a tradition can sometimes be identified, but some have been practiced for such a long time, the origin cannot be traced. A common thread of most traditions is they are practiced because it is the “right thing to do”. Wikipedia defines a tradition as: “ a ritual, belief or object passed down within a society, still maintained in the present, with origins in the past.”
This proposal is to initiate a tradition. A tradition that will continue for the duration of the Industrial Arts Teacher Education program at Red River College. In many faculties, and sports, an achievement is celebrated by the presentation and wearing of a unique ring. The tradition we would like to start, will be like none other; our grads will be manufacturing their own rings that will signify the completion of their Bachelor of Education: Industrial Arts Degree.
Students are presently learning the “Lost Wax Casting” process in Manufacturing. Students hand carve their own wax objects or use store bought “patterns”, and then cast them in bronze or reclaimed silver. This beginning of our new “tradition” will create connections between three of the courses in which our students are presently enrolled. Students will design their own rings on a computer in Graphic Communications, cut the wax pattern in Power and Energy on a CNC mill, and cast the wax ring mould in Manufacturing. The completed rings will then be presented as part of a graduation ceremony at the end of the courses at Red River College.
This Tradition includes the Business Education Teacher Education grads, Technical Vocational Teacher Education grads, as well as Alumni.
In 2013 we would like to include Teacher Education Alumni who would be interested in a Class Ring from Red River College. It will have the RRC Logo along with your Graduation Year in Gold Silver or Bronze. We are still working out the details so check back here in early 2013 to find out the details for ordering.
