On Saturday I was invited to and attended the Iron Ring Ceremony in London Ontario. A graduating Engineer invited me to present her ring.
I had attended one in my 4th year at Queen’s University. I asked my Father, and he presented my ring to me
So you see I’ve cherished the Iron Ring since I first noticed it on my Father’s hand
The ceremony is a hundred years old.
Way back a Quebec bridge collapsed while it was being built. 76 people were killed.
The Ceremony is about ethics care and responsibility.
When I see a person wearing an iron Ring I show them mine, and we talk. It binds us together.
My Father graduated in ‘41 and left to serve at sea in WW2
He presented my Iron Ring to me 30 years later. I’m proud to say I’m working as an engineer 54 years later.
Thanks for responding!
My two Iron Ring Ceremonies were highlights in my engineering career. The second one was incredible!
Kristi’s invitation was very special! Her whole family attended
I sat beside an amazing man who was invited too; he became a P. Eng 3 years ago, and his Father was a P. Eng. too. We had much in common, and have a new friendship.
The graduating class at University of Western Ontario was huge. Our profession has many new female graduates, and that’s so important
It was such an amazing experience being there for the 100th Anniversary.
I have great respect for the people that participated.
The ceremony is a hundred years old. The first was in 1925. It was written by Rudyard Kipling
It was fascinating seeing the changes from my first one I attended 54 years ago and the one I attended Saturday. It was updated very well and still honours the past
It was humbling and horrifying to see photos of the Quebec bridge that collapsed killing 76 workers who were building the bridge.
ironring.ca
“The Calling of an Engineer”
“…directing newly qualified engineers towards a consciousness of the profession and its social significance”
Here’s the story of the bridge collapse. I’ve often heard that iron rings (used to be) made from the iron from the bridge. I don’t know if that is true.
Summary–I was surprised and so happy that a young engineering student invited me to the Iron Ring Ceremony to give her the iron ring. She is the daughter of wonderful friends who studied Civil Engineering. Coincidently it was 100 years since the first “Calling of an Engineer” I attended my first “Obligation” 54 years ago. I met fascinating people there… And I’ve learned that Jordan attended too. See how bonding the Canadian Iron Ring is!
