Ashley Hunter liked it, so she put a ring on it at the Spring 2018 ring ceremony.

The ULM Alumna Association and 31 Ambassadors hosted their bi-annual ring ceremony on Saturday for the Spring 2018 graduates. The spring ceremony featured six students.

Hunter, a senior kinesiology major, doubled as a recipient and committtee head with 31 ambassadors. Hunter said her time at ULM has flown by because she was heavily involved in many organizations.

“It’s bittersweet because I’m sad that I’m leaving but I’m ready to start the new chapter of my life,” Hunter said.

The ring ceremony is held every semester. Last fall, Hunter spearheaded a new tradition for the ceremony.

Students washed their hands before they were given their rings to rid themselves of the past.

“Washing the hands symbolizes not only saying good bye to the past, but also to wish good fortune for their journey ahead once they graduate,” Hunter said.

Hunter is grateful for the clean-slate tradition because she plans to start grad school a week after graduation for occupational therapy.

“For me the ring represents all of the things I was involved in and all of the memories that I’ve had at ULM,” Hunter said.

Students could also invite a loved one or someone special to put the ring on their fingers for them. Hunter’s family attended to help her celebrate.

The placement of the ring also holds weight with the students. The “L” in the middle of the ring faces the student pending graduation and was turned five times during the ceremony. On the day of graduation, students turn the “L” outward clockwise one time to lock the L in place and seal the end of a chapter.

Senior business management major, Matthew Sands, wanted a ring to celebrate his last semester. He said it’s a reminder for the years he put in work.

“College has been an experience. It’s been a lot of hard work and a lot of getting by the skin of my teeth,” Sands said.

Students are required to complete 90 hours before they are eligible to purchase a ring. Eligible students order rings at Grad Finale.

“31 Ambassadors have been doing the rings for maybe 10 years when they brought the tradition to campus. Last year, we revamped our ring traditions and trying to get it to grow,” said, Dani Walker the associate director of  the Alumna Association.

They design the rings with special symbols. The six cypress trees represent the history of ULM’s establishment.

The bayou symbol represents ULM’s community. The warhawk represents ULM and the historical background.

The Alumna Association and 31 Ambassadors plan on moving the ceremony to the fall semester only, so that some students can wear their rings for a year pending graduation.