Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer (Iron Ring Ceremony)
Next ceremony: tba
"The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer has been instituted with the simple end of directing the young engineer towards a consciousness of the profession and its significance and indicating to the older engineer their responsibilities in receiving, welcoming and supporting the young engineers in their beginnings." (Camp 15 Charter, Rule of Governance, September 1962)
Details:
-
Students in their final year are sent an invitation from Camp 15 (Waterloo) to attend the "Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer", also known as the Iron Ring Ceremony.
-
Prior to the ritual, students must attend an introductory session and ring fitting (ring is stainless steel).
-
Event details are provided in the Iron Ring Invitation and posted on the Camp 15 website in December.
-
Registration for ring fitting (current undergrad students only): the site will open after the introductory talks and close day before ring fitting. Others: contact Camp 15.
-
For more information refer to Camp 15 Waterloo Official Site.
Spirit of the ritual
Note (1) "The Obligation will be taken on cold iron of honorable tradition, as being a solid substance of proven strength and physical characteristics. It will not be taken on any other written works of man, but upon a product from nature, used by every engineer." - Rudyard Kipling November 9, 1923.
Note (2) "The Ring of Obligation shall be of wrought iron, unpolished, in the shape and thickness of a wedding ring, but no great width. It shall carry no mark. It shall be worn on the little finger of the right hand except where the Candidate is left-handed, for the Ring shall always be upon the working hand. It is not to be worn upon the watch chain viz: a piece of jewelry). It is a ring, not a charm." - Rudyard Kipling November 9, 1923