Starting today, Hopkins students with advanced standing will have the chance to view and order the official Johns Hopkins class ring at various on-campus locations. The ring, designed in 2000 by a panel of alumni and students, is a signet ring engraved with the university's seal. It is the only ring recognized by the university.

Shortly after World War II, Hopkins instituted a single-design class ring, but in the 1960s students began to stray from that official ring and bought, instead, a variety of class rings. "The ring became more jewelry than it was a symbol of Johns Hopkins," says Alumni Association president Idy Iglehart.

Fritz Schroeder, executive director of Alumni Relations, says, "The Alumni Association has really worked to help students connect to old traditions and develop some new ones of their own. Already," he says, "the newly designed official class ring, worn by alumni from every division at Hopkins, from Peabody to Public Health, is becoming a cherished tradition--a symbol of all their hard work here."

The ring ranges from $295 to $555, depending on size and material chosen.

Each ring sold brings the Alumni Association a modest royalty (around $35), which is used to fund a ring ceremony and an annual senior class dinner. This year's ceremony and senior class dinner will be held Sunday, April 14.

Since its unveiling in 2000, Hopkins students and alumni have purchased approximately 1,700 official class rings.

The class rings can be viewed at the following times and locations:

Homewood campus, Gilman Hall Bookcenter: Mon. and Tues., March 4 and 5, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wed. and Thurs., March 6 and 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Peabody, dining hall: Tues., March 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Baltimore Downtown Center, main level: Mon. and Wed., March 4 and 6, 5 to 8 p.m.

Columbia Center, main lobby: Tues. through Thurs., May 5 to 7, 5 to 7 p.m.

School of Nursing, cafe area: Mon. and Tues., March 4 and 5, noon to 2 p.m.

School of Public Health, cafeteria: Wed., March 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

School of Medicine, outside PTCB Auditorium: Tues., March 5, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Doctor's Lounge: Thurs., March 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The ring also can be ordered by phone, by calling 800-355-1145, operator 245.