1929 Concordia Ring

    The Concordia College class ring is an important symbolic tradition of the college that represents pride and provides unity between Cobbers around the globe. Finger rings have long indicated power and authority. (1) In ancient times, a gold finger ring was worn only by someone who held a very high position in society such as a knight or noble. (2) Again during the Middle Ages, only important apostolic leaders wore rings as a representation of pride to symbolize the strong bond between the unification of the priesthood and the church.(3) In the same way, our class ring at Concordia represents a dignified status in our school culture. In today’s times, Concordia students may purchase class rings during their junior year. This indicates a rite of passage and acts as a privilege for receiving upperclass status.(4) Underclassmen wait for the day that it is their turn to join the elite and order their very own Concordia ring. A junior in 2003 asserted that “It is a status symbol that shows I am part of the Concordia community.” (5) A new ring owner in 1991 made the claim that “The Cobber ring makes you feel like a true cobber.” ⁽⁶⁾ Not only does the ring represent pride for the school and for students' own personal accomplishments, but it also serves as a unifying bond.

     Since 1920, the official gold and ruby ring inscribed with the letter “C,” created by Moorhead jeweler Oscar Martinson, has remained the constant.(6) Therefore the design alone creates a link between a graduate from over 90 years ago to a student today. Dr. Carroll Engelhardt, a former history professor at Concordia, reflected that the ring “eventually became an important symbol and a ready means of recognition for family members worldwide.”(4)  A story in the Concordian described an alumni who was climbing in the Galapagos Islands when she met another tourist wearing a familiar ring. This commonality between strangers spiked a friendly conversation about their time at Concordia. The woman reflected on her conversation with her fellow Cobber as “a momentary oasis of warmth in a remote and arid region- because of a Concordia ring.”(7) This particular story is just one of the many examples of this long-standing symbol of Concordia College unifying alumni. This item alone reflects how strongly valued education is at this institution and provides a reward for all of the hard work that students put in to get to where they are. This important tradition distinguishes upperclassmen and alumni and creates connections between Cobbers around the world through a small piece of jewelry that they can cherish for their entire lives.

     (1) Katherine Lester and Bess Viola Oerke, Accessories of Dress: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (Mineola: Dover Publications Inc., 2004), 323.

     (2) Katherine Lester and Bess Viola Oerke, 328.

     (3) Katherine Lester and Bess Viola Oerke, 333.

     (4) Carroll Engelhardt, On Firm Foundation Grounded: The First Century of Concordia College (Moorhead: Concordia College, 1991; Digital Horizons), 89.

     (5) Kristin Steffan, “The lore of the ring,” Concordian, March 28, 2003, 6.

     (6) Cindi Bauerly, “Cobber rings continue a 90 year-old tradition,” Concordian, December 6, 1991, 4.

     (7) Jeri Peterson, “We’re lords of our rings,” Concordian, September 18, 1987, 14.

Essay by Melissa Uhrich