The College
Traditions of the College
History of the Iron Ring
It is proper and important to draw into focus our place in time, our position within the continuum of engineering at New Mexico state University, as we induct new members into our Link and the society of the Order of the Engineer.
Decades ago our engineering counterparts north of the border felt that a need existed for the introduction of a spirit of brotherhood and cohesiveness among engineers. The Canadians believed that a good way to go about achieving this would be to instill, in engineers, a consciousness of belonging to one another, to themselves as individuals, and to those whom they served.
It was a sort of secular trinity — if you will — embodied in a single word — OBLIGATION. Thus was brought into being in Canada in 1926 what is now known as the “Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer.” The words of the Ritual were written by the English author, Rudyard Kipling. Kipling had much depth of feeling for engineers possessed of a publicly avowed dedication to their profession and those it has to serve. Their ritual consisted of an oath, a ceremony and the wearing of an Iron Ring on the small finger of the working hand. For many years, the rings were made from the steel superstructure of the Quebec City Bridge.
The source of the material was significant on two counts: first, this massive structure, designed to include an 1800-foot cantilever main span — at that time, the longest in the world — was to be the pinnacle of engineering skill… a proud, function showpiece; second, using that steel would also remind the wearer of the massive obligation borne by, and the fallibility of, our profession, for on August 29, 1907, a few minutes before quitting time, without warning the entire southern arm of the bridge collapsed. Approximately 80 men were killed. It was the worst disaster in the history of bridge construction.
During 1966, a group of engineers actively pursued the objective of what in Ohio was called the “Order of the Engineer.” While the deliberators of this group were in progress, seniors of Fenn College of Engineering at Cleveland State University, counseled by Dean Burl Bush, designed and held a Ring Ceremony and reception on June 4, 1970. Each participant signed a creed and received a stainless steel ring placed on the small finger of the working hand. About 170 engineering seniors and faculty members participated in the ceremony.
Such is the story of an increasing acceptance of the “Order of the Engineer” as it is know in the United States of America. It is patterned on the Canadian concept with a stainless steel ring symbolizing strength and unity of the profession and providing an identifying mark of an engineer, but with the differences which are distinctly ours.
The “Obligation” inscribed on the certificate which each participant signs was prepared after a thorough analysis of the purpose of the Order and a careful study of existing engineering creeds and codes. The writers are indebted especially to the excellent “Faith of an Engineer” as adopted by ABET. Acknowledgement is given to the authors for inclusion of appropriate passages of the “Faith in the Obligation.”
The pursuit of a career, constrained as it is with the necessity for earning a living and pursuing a profession, may sometimes cause an individual to lose sight of his or her goals. In time their dreams may fade. The ring should be a constant adversity, and the assurance that one is not alone in his or her endeavor but is joined by a vast number of individuals with common purpose and resolution.
We ask you to accept and interpret the meaning of the ceremony you are about to subscribe to most seriously and with pride.
Order of the Engineer History
During the 1960s, Ohio engineers attempted without success to extend the Canadian Ring Ceremony into American engineering schools. The first Engineer's Ring Ceremony in the United States was conducted in 1970 by students at Cleveland State University 's Fenn College of Engineering. In 1972, the Order of the Engineer was incorporated in Ohio , and tacit approval was obtained from the Canadian Wardens. The Order's national office remained in Ohio until 1987 when it was relocated to the United Engineering Center in New York City .
Any engineer is eligible for induction if he or she has graduated from a an ABET-accredited engineering program or holds a license as a Professional Engineer. Students enrolled in ABET-accredited engineering degree programs are eligible if they are within two academic terms. Other candidates may be considered eligible because of equivalent credentials, subject to the approval of the National Board of Governors.