OA - Summer 2024

2024 RING DAY Grow your roots, Extend your branches.

With a record 147 ring recipients, SMWC held two ring ceremonies in the Harvey Auditorium in the Conservatory of Music on Saturday, April 13, for Ring Day 2024. The theme of this year’s ceremony was “Grow your roots, Extend your branches.” The theme symbolizes the growth each recipient made during their time at the college and gives hope for each students continued growth beyond SMWC. Trustee Emerita, Barbara Brugnaux ’70, gave the reflection and said to the Woods Ring recipients, “When you put your ring on your finger today, its weight will surprise you. You get accustomed to it very quickly, and soon — if you are not wearing your ring — you will miss that reassuring comfort. Your ring is a tangible reminder of your connections and your roots to this place and to each other. Just as we all experienced that first Avenue moment (and I still do every time I come to campus), wearing a Woods Ring brings with it a reminder of good times, hard times, respect and love. Each of you has faced your own challenges in reaching this achievement, each of you in your special way, has earned the privilege of receiving a Woods Ring. You may have thought at some point, ‘I cannot do this, I cannot read one more book, or do one more equation or write one more research paper,’ but you did. Remember Eleanor Roosevelt’s words…. ‘You must do things you think you cannot do.’” The 2024 ceremony marked the 102nd year of the College’s iconic symbol of academic success. Hope McGuire, Junior class president, shared that their class was honored to hold such a significant role in the tradition. “It has been exciting to see the growth at The Woods, which resulted in a record number of rings being distributed this year. Being a part of the very first Ring Ceremony in the historic Harvey Auditorium made for a great experience to celebrate the day with our friends and family,” McGuire said.

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