As of Thursday, October 28th, the class of 2015 had ~1562 days to their Iron Ring Stag, or IRS. The class of 2014 had ~1198 days. The class of 2013 had ~834 days. The class of 2012 had ~463 days. And the class of 2011, who are graduating this April, had 100 days to their IRS!
Reaching 100 days is a big milestone. It can mean any number of things to you – it’s a sign that the end of your 5 (or 6 or 7) years is nigh, a testament to how far you’ve come since starting at UW, a reminder of your obligation to uphold the ethics of Engineering, and much more.
The Iron Ring Ceremony, or IRC, is happening on February 5th, 2011 for 4th years. As you probably know, engineering students receive their Iron Ring at this ceremony. The ring is worn on the little finger (aka your pinky) of your working hand, and the unworn facets on the ring act as a reminder of your professional obligation since the facets rub against your paper as you draw or write.
The IRC, also known as the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, is administered by the Corporation of the Seven Wardens. The origin of the ceremony can be traced back to 1922 to a civil engineering professor at the University of Toronto, when he convinced the Engineering Institute of Canada that a ceremony and standard of ethics should be instated for graduating engineers. The original Seven Wardens were the seven past Presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada. The ritual itself was created by Rudyard Kipling.
Receiving your Iron Ring is a proud and exciting moment. It’s a moment in an engineer’s professional life that should be celebrated – and celebrated it is, with great enthusiasm!
IRS is happening on that same evening: February 5th at the Waterloo Inn. GradComm is essentially turning the hall at the Inn into a private club for all newly-ringed grads! Free food is always available, and the hall will be licensed as well. GradComm is also looking into providing shuttle buses to make sure that everyone gets to and from IRS safely. There is a dance floor for those who like to dance, and there will be tall tables for people who would rather relax and chat with their friends in a lounge atmosphere. It’s truly an event that everyone can enjoy.
There are a ton of traditions that go along with IRS. For example, attendees wear all-black to the event. Black IRS shorts are provided with your ticket, and are available in a basketball-short style and a shorter athletic style as well. Some 4th years like to wear ridiculous costumes over their black IRS clothing and have their friends tear the costume off of them to reveal their black outfit underneath. Scraps of costumes are sometimes found hanging from the ceiling at the end of the night! For everyone who has waited 5 years to touch the engineering mascot, the TOOL: you’ll get your chance on the dance floor that night! All in all, IRS is a great night for newly ringed 4th years and is always a much-loved event year after year.
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