The Non-Cadet Ring
Where as The Citadel Cadet Ring displays the symbols and traditions of the Military College of South Carolina Corps of Cadets. The Non-Cadet Ring displays actual campus buildings and monuments that are a constant reminder of the ideals of a military college. For if The Citadel is not a military college, it is nothing. The non-cadet student or graduate understands that it is an honor and privilege to be associated with The Military College of South Carolina, College of Graduate and Professional Studies.
The Non-Cadet Ring is authorized for purchase by veteran, undergraduate evening college and graduate (Master’s Degree) evening college students who graduate honorably from the Citadel’s College of Graduate and Professional Studies. Like the Cadet Ring, the Non-Cadet Ring can only be purchased in 10K yellow gold and is of the same pennyweight and size of the Cadet Ring. The Non-cadet Ring is a standardized ring, which cannot be ordered with any variation, except for class year. Standardization brings two things to the importance of the ring design. First, the ring does not denote an individual graduate but a Citadel Graduate. Second, the ring can be recognized by anyone since it is of the same design from year to year, graduate to graduate.
Upon immediate glance, the Non-cadet ring simply displays “The Citadel, 1842”. The oval crest top of the Non-cadet Ring displays the palmetto tree- the state tree of South Carolina and is symbolic of a fort on Sullivan’s Island built from palmetto logs, which successfully resisted many British men-of-war during the Revolutionary War. To the non-cadet graduate it represents palmetto trees that were so abundant in the area during the founding of the college in 1842. The year of non-cadet graduation is displayed along the sides of the palmetto tree. The two oval shields at the base of the palmetto tree are miniature replicas of the state shield. The shield inscriptions are accurate and readable with a low power glass.
On the left shank of the Non-cadet Ring the star commemorates the shelling of the union supply steamer “The Star of the West” and memorializes all those Citadel cadets, veterans, and graduates who have died in defense of their country. Lesesne Gate, the Main Gate of The Citadel campus, is named after Thomas P. Lesesne, class of 1901. On the Non-cadet Ring, the closed Lesesne Gate represents the humbling and difficult academic task that Non-cadet students must endure to become a wearer of the “Band of Gold”- The Non-cadet Ring of The Citadel. The closed gate also represents the inability of the non-cadet student to understand the total mystique and the complete tradition that, in part, is gained by cadet students. And after 4 years in the Corps, even the most insightful of cadets may never grasp the mystery in toto. Indeed, much of what a Citadel graduate gains will never be understood outside the gates of The Citadel. The United States and South Carolina colors on each side of the gate depict the unity and coordination between the state and federal government. The gate inscription The Military College of South Carolina, although appropriately unnoticeable to anyone except the wearer, is also accurate and readable with low power glass. To serve as a constant reminder of the city of their alma mater, Charleston S.C. appears on the bottom of this shank.
On the right shank of the Non-cadet Ring, the most prominent feature is the Eagle atop Bond Hall, another campus landmark. On the Great Seal of the United States, the Eagle is facing toward the olive leaves, the symbol of peace; whereas the Bond Hall Eagle faces to the left toward the arrows, the symbol of war. One reason for this may be that The Citadel is a military college. Another reason could be the legend of the Bond Hall Eagle. The legend is traditional information that must be memorized by new incoming cadets (known collectively as part of Knob Knowledge/ first year indoctrination).
Like the Non-cadet Ring, which must be purchased in yellow gold, the Eagle is painted gold also as a requirement. It was originally unpainted, being the color of concrete. In the 1950’s, however, some cadets snuck up on the roof of Bond Hall and painted the eagle pink. The physical plant could not get the paint off so General Clark, President of The Citadel at that time, decided to paint it gold. It is made of stucco and plaster of paris and weighs four hundred pounds, four feet by four feet. To the Non-cadet, the Eagle atop Bond Hall represents becoming a graduate, above reproach and dishonor. A Citadel graduate, like the Eagle, must always rise above typical college graduates and form a strong moral character of integrity and service to country.
With the Daniel Library and Summerall Chapel buildings in the background of the Eagle, the Non-cadet graduate is reminded of the beautiful architecture of the college. The library becomes the most important resource in Non-cadet graduate degree research. And the chapel is the location of the College of Professional and Graduate Studies commencement ceremony held upon Non-cadet degree completion.
In 1985, approval was granted for purchase by all non-cadets including master’s degree graduates. In keeping with tradition, the Alumni Association has assumed the approval process for purchase following the completion of degree requirements. Although there have been attempts to redesign an alternate non-cadet ring for non-cadet graduates, the design that has been honored since the 1970’s is current. Therefore, The Citadel has only two official designed rings that are authorized for purchase from The Citadel Alumni Association (a cadet and a non-cadet ring). This continues the tradition of The Citadel Ring being instantly recognizable to fellow graduates. It remains a simple link from past to present, from present to future for those that have earned the right to wear the “Band of Gold” and to affirm “I wear the Ring”.