VMI Class of 2026 Revels Milestone: Enter the Brotherhood of the Ring

The bracing air and tease of snow did not extinguish the blaze of excitement and exuberant mood for the Class of 2026 at VMI Nov. 21–22, 2024. It was during those 2 days that the class celebrated Ring Figure, one of the most anticipated events for cadets. The 2-day observance consisted of multiple events in various venues, including the presentation of combat rings and the class supper Thursday evening, followed by a family brunch, class ring presentation, ring blessing, and Ring Figure dance Friday.

The Institute’s first ring was designed by members of the Class of 1848 and presented to graduates during finals celebrations. The design was simple — the word “Mizpah” was cut in the stone, and on the inside of the band was engraved, “1 of 24, July 1848.” Mizpah, from Hebrew, is translated as “the Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another.” The term signified brotherhood and the enduring connection among the 24 graduates of the Class of 1848. Modern rings have become increasingly larger and more elaborate in design, but the tradition of the class designing their one-of-a-kind ring remains the same, and the word “Mizpah” is often still incorporated. The custom of 2nd Class cadets receiving the class ring was established in 1907, and the addition of the Ring Figure dance started in 1927 with the Class of 1928.

The traditional presentation of the combat rings was held in Memorial Hall, followed by the class supper in Crozet Hall Thursday evening. The Douglas Carter France III ’71 Memorial Award for “excellent character, selflessness, graciousness, and enthusiasm” was presented by Warren J. “Buddy” Bryan ’71 to Cadet Devin C. Auzenne ’26. Auzenne was elected by his peers to win the honor.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John “Dan” Caine ’90 addresses the Class of 2026 during the formal ring presentation ceremony in Cameron Hall.—VMI Photo by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

The class nominated Capt. Phillip S. Haly, VMI’s Naval ROTC unit Marine officer instructor, to be their honorary brother rat for the evening. Cadet Colin Russell ’26, class vice president, presented Haly with a signet dinner ring.

After Haly thanked the class for the extraordinary honor, he confessed that he was completely unfamiliar with VMI prior to his arrival in 2023. “When my family and I first drove onto post, it took our breath away. From the highly groomed Parade Ground to the aesthetics of the architecture, we were blown away. I knew I would love to be here training the next generation of VMI cadets.” Haly told the class several things he has learned about them. “Number one, you all care more than any of your peers I’ve met nationwide. Your dedication to your studies is admirable, and it sets you apart. Number two, your traditions are a part of you. You should never compromise them for comfort. Society may change, and people may formulate opinions about what you do within these walls, but none of that should matter. The one thing that strengthens the group is remembering why you have traditions and never compromising your traditions for anyone. The bond that is forged during your tenure here will be a bond that never leaves your side. Number three, your adherence to standards gives your class credibility that transcends the Institute. This place is designed to forge citizen-soldiers or commissioned officers who are superior to their peers across the nation.” Haly closed by encouraging the cadets to value every second they spend at VMI because those seconds will impact them for the rest of their lives. “I’m extremely humbled to be your honorary brother rat. I do not take this honor lightly, and I promise to never take it for granted. This is one of the highlights of my professional career.”

Following Haly’s speech, Cadet Maximus Ankrah ’26, class president, invited his brother rats to put on their combat rings, which they did to raucous cheers, and immediately proceeded to test the rings’ resonance qualities by energetically banging their hands on the dining hall’s table and chairs.

The Class of 2026 dances with their dates at the Ring Figure dance in Cocke Hall Nov. 22, 2024.—VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.

On Friday, Nov. 22, a family brunch in Crozet Hall was followed by the formal ring presentation ceremony where 2nd Class cadets received their individualized rings in Cameron Hall. Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent, opened the ceremony by reminding the class that each one of them charted a unique path that brought them to VMI and, in their pursuit of personal growth, chose to push themselves beyond what they thought possible. “You chose late nights of study and spartan living conditions. You chose honor, leadership, courage, self-discipline, and resilience. You have earned the right to wear the symbol of your efforts, the VMI ring. You’ve entered the brotherhood of the ring. With this ring comes high expectations with great responsibility. You’re joining a community where leadership is not just an option; it’s expected. Wear the ring with honor and wear it with a sense of pride as you continue to forge your legacy. We are all very proud of you and excited to witness your future contributions and achievements to our great nation and to this Institute,” Wins said.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John “Dan” Caine ’90, guest speaker, addressed the class after Wins. Caine shared with the cadets that the small details of his own class ring have blurred with the passage of time, but their meanings and the symbolic, unbreakable bond between those who came before and those who follow remain. “Within this metal is not just gold. It’s courage, justice, wisdom, and temperance. Today, you earned a ring through the blood, sweat, and tears of the Rat Line, the challenges of the academic classroom, and the athletic battlefield,” said Caine. “Throughout history, VMI graduates have answered the call to serve all over the world. VMI ring wearers who went before you focused on the deed and not the glory. It’s in this continuous thread of selfless service, the gift of a great example, that you now come aboard in the brotherhood of the ring. The honor and privilege of wearing this ring does not come without sacrifices. Since the Institute’s founding, we’ve lost people in every war. It is each of these heroes and their families that we owe a debt of gratitude and responsibility to carry forward and keep that charge by wearing this ring. VMI ring wearers are currently deployed around the world, taking their rings off, sliding them into a uniform pocket, and going out to do our nation’s business.” Caine also included professionals in the government and private sector who work hard to uphold the responsibility of wearing the ring. In closing, he charged the cadets, “Wear your rings with pride. Live with honor. Be humble, be grateful, and go forth and do the things that you must do to bring this nation to a better place. You have to earn this ring, not just today, but every single day. May the Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another. May God bless the Virginia Military Institute, may God bless our deployed forces, may God bless our fallen, may God bless the Class of 2026 and the United States of America. Thank you so much and congratulations.”

At the conclusion of his speech, the class presented Caine with a hatchet, a symbol of a warrior.

Later Friday afternoon, the ring blessing service was held in Memorial Hall. Capt. Eli Facemire ’19, associate chaplain, gave a brief message followed by five cadets who offered prayers, verses, or blessings from their respective faiths of Protestantism, Catholicism, Muslimism, Judaism, and Buddhism.

Cadet Hannah Buttner ’26, Ring Figure committee member, shared that Ring Figure is one of the most important events in a cadetship. “My brother rats are the most impressive people I’ve ever met, and wearing this ring would be to honor them, the Institute, and all that we have endured up to this point.”

Cadet Colin Nicassio ’26, Pipe Band drum major, imparted the importance of remembering those celebrating the milestone with the cadets. “Our parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and cousins are all part of who we are and our success here.”

The evening wrapped up with the Ring Figure dance held in Cocke Hall with the traditional dress code of coatees, white ducks or long white skirts for cadets, floor-length white gowns and elbow-length gloves for female civilian dates, and tuxedos with white bow tie for male civilian dates. Couples were able to process through sabers and have their photograph taken in the large replica ring.

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