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Texas A&M at Qatar presents 47 students with Aggie Rings

Published Nov 29, 2020

Texas A&M University at Qatar recently presented 47 students with their Aggie Rings during a lively socially distanced, drive-in ceremony in Education City.

Students of Texas A&M University are called “Aggies” and that tradition continues at Texas A&M’s branch campus in Doha. The Aggie Ring worn by all Aggies is the most visible symbol of the Aggie Network that connects graduates of Texas A&M around the world.

Dating back more than 100 years, the Aggie Ring is a tradition that is deep in symbolism and represents the values every Aggie should hold: excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service. Those who have earned the right to wear the Aggie Ring have cleared some of the toughest requirements in the United States for a class ring, making it one of the most treasured items an Aggie possesses.

For student body leaders Motaz Eledrisi and Zeina Barghouti, having a special ceremony for students helped to restore one of the Doha campus’s most cherished traditions. 

“As leaders of the student body,” Eledrisi and Barghouti said, “we felt that it was very important to restore one of our campus’ favorite traditions in this time when everything meaningful feels like it's being put on hold. As engineers we are always taught to adapt to changes in our environment, so we felt like it was time to work with the situation we have. Instead of delaying another milestone in our Aggie experience, we took charge and came up with an event that was safe, fun, and memorable. It was a way for all of us Aggies to come together safely and lift our spirits as the semester comes to an end.”

And as Aggies who received their own Aggie Rings during the drive-in ceremony, both are still getting used to the new rings on their hands.

“We feel really proud and accomplished,” they said, “not only for reaching the 90-credit hour milestone, but also for being able to bring this incredible event idea to life. Our Aggie Ring Day is a day we’ve all been looking forward to ever since our freshman year and having the rings on our hand at this moment feels so surreal.”

Texas A&M at Qatar’s dean, Dr. César Octavio Malavé, congratulated the students on achieving this significant milestone. The father of two Aggies, Malavé knows the significance of the Aggie Ring: Just the day before, his own daughter received her Aggie Ring at Texas A&M’s main campus in College Station, Texas (USA).

“I’m proud of all of you,” Malavé said. “This is an amazing day! It’s not easy to get an Aggie Ring so be proud of what you have accomplished. This ring is a visible signifier to the rest of the world that you are a member of the Aggie Network. It ties you to your classmates and to fellow Aggies around the world. Treasure it always, along with the memories of your days at Texas A&M, and wear your Aggie Ring with pride, knowing that you belong to the to the Aggie family.”