Two generations, one class ring tradition

For each class year at Virginia Tech, a ring design committee is formed to craft a unique collection of rings that embodies that class, a tradition that began in 1911. 

This year, Connor Hennesey, ring design chair for the Class of 2027, is honoring more than just tradition at Virginia Tech. He’s honoring his father, Chris Hennesey ’98, who was the ring design chair for the Class of 1999 — he graduated early in December.  

“The most important part about ring tradition is that it’s meaningful to people in ways you wouldn't even believe. For me, it's meaningful because my dad did it,” Connor Hennesey said. 

For the Class of 2027 ring, “we wanted to create a design that could resemble each and every person no matter their background, no matter where they come from,” he said. “At the end of the day, we're all Hokies.” 

Tradition is important to Connor Hennesey, but he didn’t just want to follow his father’s path. He wanted to honor him while creating something new. 

“I wanted to follow in his footsteps because he's my biggest inspiration, but I wanted to create something a little bit different than him,” Connor Hennesey said. “I wanted to make this journey my own. I wanted to really bond with my committee to create such a vision, a tangible, piece of history for the junior class.”

He oversees a team of eight students who have various responsibilities including risk management, marketing, and creative coordinating. 

“I wanted everyone to feel that their opinions were being heard on the committee because all of them represent a variety of different backgrounds and experiences,” he said. “It's very important that we think about all different aspects of the Virginia Tech student population compared to just ourselves. I recognized that it was so much bigger than me, so much bigger than me wanting to honor my dad.” 

The ring design team for each class year forms during the class’ freshman year. During sophomore year, team members are prepped and guided by the design team in the year ahead of them. Junior year is when the Ring Premiere takes place and the team’s collection of rings is unveiled.

Eryn Giegel, assistant director of student engagement within advancement, guides team members, helping them create a ring that connects generations of Hokies. 

“It connects what Hokies have done for the past 150 years. I think that’s what the ring represents,” Giegel said. “It's something that connects Hokies across many generations.”

Chris Hennesey got to reflect on his experience while watching his son. 

“The ring symbolizes the beauty of memories, for me at least,” he said. “I am so proud that Connor was involved and that I got to witness it.” 

The Class of 2027 collection celebrates the 2025 Metallica concert in Lane Stadium and the 2024 solar eclipse.

“He [Chris] was very happy with the ring,” Connor Hennesey said. “He thought that it was an amazing design, and that he really liked the Metallica choice and the solar eclipse.”

The Class of 2027 ring design team now is gearing up for the Ring Dance next semester that will celebrate their transition from junior to senior. 

Students or alumni can purchase a class ring at any time, even years after graduation.

As tradition shapes Virginia Tech, Connor Hennesey sees it as an opportunity to create your own while honoring the past. 

“I would say that Virginia Tech is deeply rooted in tradition,” he said. “It's very important to recognize traditions and give them respect, but also keep an open mind about how you can create your own legacy here at Virginia Tech.”

Written by Emily Southern, a senior majoring in multimedia journalism and student writer for Virginia Tech Marketing and Communications