VMI Cadet. November 22, 1974

              VOLUME LXV
Site
Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia November 72, 1974 NUMBER 11
At Last
Ring Figure '76
Every cadet at the Virginia
Military Institute looks forward
to the class privileges that he
will gain through seniority.
Each year, as a class moves
closer to graduation, it is
granted in this disciplined at-mosphere.
In November of a Cadet's
Second Class year, the most
rewarding, and seemingly
worthwhile of these privileges is
granted - the right to wear his
class ring.
The traditional celebration
covers an entire weekend: this
year, the 22nd through the 24th.
It centers around two main
events; the presentation, the
Ring Figure Ceremony. Both
events follow a traditional
schedule of activities.
The Presentation is held on
Friday afternoon of the
weekend in Jackson Memorial
Hall, the Cadet Chapel. The
Superintendent presents the
Second Classman his ring, and
gives a brief address to the
honored class.
The Ring Figure Ceremony,
held on the evening of the same
day, is truly the last of the
picturesque formal dances that
lend themselves to the history of
the South. Each Second
Classman and his date are
announced as they walk through
a giant replica of the ring. The
ladies are presented a bouquet
'of long-stem roses, and the
couples move to an assigned
position on the dance floor
forming the numeral of their
class year — '76.
The cadets are dressed in
their"" traditional gold-braided
coatees, and their dates wear
white gowns. The site is un-forgetable,
and is momentarily
drowned in the tight of camera
flashes.
The tradition and beauty of
the scene is enhanced by the
music of Ellington, Shaw, the
Dorsey's and Glenn Miller,
provided by VMI's Com-manders
Dance Orchestra. A
dance follows with the con-trasting
sound of modern rock
music.
The ring, however, is only
symbolic. The celebration is
centered around the root of that
symbolism, accomplishment
with unit. By the lime a Class
receives its rings, its
members are joined together by
a bond that the Corps of Cadets
and friends of the Institute know
as Brother Rat Spirit.
The planning and preparation
for the event begins more than a
year before when members of
the class serve on committees
which handle the detailed
arrangements of banquets,
e n t e r t a i n m e n t , flowers,
decorations, invitations and all
the other individual aspects of
the celebration. This work
toward a common goal boosts
the class unity and spirit to a
peak for the occasion.
The spirit is physically
displayed in the design of the
ring. A chain, indicating this
bond between classmates,
encircles the stone. This year's
design features a Cadet in the
New Market charge of 1864. The
actions of these young men in
I his victory have served as
goals of honor, unity and
courage for VMI Cadets for
over a century.
nu> St>coi)d Class Re^imeiilal Staff is headed by Mark Swank. Regimental Commander. His staff, from
left lo rij{ht. consists of Curtis Butterworth. S-1; Mel Williams, S-3; Bob Keneally, X-0; .Jim Martin, S-4;
:itid Scott Custer. S-.^.
Rank
On 15 Nov. 74, the orders were
posted concerning Makeovers
for the Class of 1976's Ring
Figure Parade to be held on 22
Nov. 74. All officers for this
parade will be Second Classmen
who will hold ranks ranging
from Cadet Captain to Cadet
Second Lieutenant. The
following men have been ap-pointed
to the rank of Cadet
Captain:
Swank. MG .Regimental Commander
Keneally, RJ Regimental Executive Officer
.\sliton, DF .Commander, Second Battalion
Cox. RE Commander, First Battalion
Tale. MG Commander, CCompany
D<MlUe. IIT Commander, B Company
Laiuiinuhum, J1 Commander, Band Company
Fielder. LD Commander, E Company
LaGrone. WR Commander, D. Company
Tuduy. CE Commander, F Company
Colemun, JC Commander, A Company
Butterworth. IIC Regimental S-1
Williams. KD Regimental S-3
Martin. JK Regimental S-4
Custer. SS .Regimental, S-5
Villani Wins France Award
The winner of the Douglas
Carter France Memorial Award
from the Class of 1976 is Carmen
Dominick Villani. Carmen is a
Math major from Vienna,
Virginia. He is also a second
class representative on the
Honor Court and a Dean's List
student.
Carmen was chosen for the
award by a vote taken by the
class. Although the vote was
close, one of the best men for
the award was chosen. Carmen
exemplifies the unselfishness,
friendship, and helpfulness for
which the award stands.
Cadet Villani was presented
the award today during the ring
presentation in Jackson
Memorial Hall.
The Douglas C. France III '71
Memorial Award was
established four years ago by
the Class of 1971 in memory of
their brother rat Doug France,
who was killed in a tragic
automobile accident in the
summer of 1969. This award is
presented each year at Ring
Figure lo the member of the
second class who emulates most
the qualities of friendship,
helpfulness, and unselfishness
which were a basic part of Doug
France's character. The award
consists of a class ring with the
inscription "Douglas C. France,
III '71 Memorial Award" a gift
of $100 is Jilso given" to the
recipient.
11
NOTICE
For students who will be in
the Richmond area during
the Christmas holidays, the
Evening College at Virginia
Commonwealth University is
offering 8 three-credit
courses in an intersession,
from December 26 through
January 11.
The courses, offered during
the 17-day session include
Cultural Anthropology,
General Sociology, Human
Sexuality, Mental Hygiene,
Social Problems in the United
States, History of
Civilization, Effective
Speech, and Speech for
Teachers.
Classes will be held from 9
a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday
through Friday during the
session. For registration
information contact the VCU
Q EEvveenniinngg _CCoolllleeggee at 770-6731.
QOOOOCXSOO
Barracks
Study
This
Week
A group of architects and
engineers from Lynchburg met
at V.M.I, on Tuesday and
Wednesday of this week to
continue their architectural,
mechanical and electrical
survey of barracks. Scheduled
later in the week was a meeting
of the Barracks Building
Committee to hear a summary
report and to discuss the project
criteria and the construction
schedule. Cadet members of
this committee are D. M.
Hensen and J. J. DeWaters.