This website is your portal to all things Brass Rat, from the design to purchasing details. So, what are you waiting for?
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Brass Rat tradition was born in the spring of 1929. C. Brigham Allen, then President of the Class of 1929, called upon one member of the classes of 1930, 1931, and 1932 and entrusted them with the task of designing a ring that the Institute Committee would ultimately approve as the Standard Technology Ring. The committee agreed upon a three part construction, with a primary image on the bezel of the ring and two other images on the two shanks.
Controversy quickly arose over whether to honor the Beaver or the Great Dome on the bezel; some members of the committee even questioned MIT's choice of the beaver as its mascot. The committee looked to the original discussion over the mascot (formally decided upon by President MacLaurin in 1914), calling upon the now famous defense of the beaver by Lester Gardner, Class of 1897:
"The beaver not only typifies the Tech (student), but his habits are peculiarly our own. The beaver is noted for his engineering, mechanical skills, and industry. His habits are nocturnal. He does his best work in the dark."
Citing the fact that many other schools had buildings similar to our Great Dome, the committee ultimately decided to honor our hard-working and industrious mascot on the ring and thus the Brass Rat was born. With the debate settled and the ring finally designed, the Class of 1930 was the first to proudly wear a Brass Rat.
HOMETOWN: Helsinki, Finland
COURSE: 6-3 and Design minor
RESIDENCE: Baker House
AFFILIATION: Sigma Kappa
RING: 18K Yellow Gold
HOMETOWN: Murrieta, CA
COURSE: 9
RESIDENCE: Next House
RING: 14K Yellow Gold
HOMETOWN: Pembroke Pines, FL
COURSE: 16
RESIDENCE: New House
RING:Stealth PVD
HOMETOWN:Los Altos, CA
COURSE: 20
RESIDENCE: Kappa Alpha Theta
RING: 18K Rose Gold
HOMETOWN: Syracuse, NY
COURSE: 2A-15
RESIDENCE: DKE
RING: Ultrium with engraving
HOMETOWN: College Station, TX
COURSE: 6-7
RESIDENCE: Sigma Chi
RING: 14K Yellow Gold
HOMETOWN: East Brunswick, NJ
COURSE: 18C
RESIDENCE: New House
RING: Extreme Silver
HOMETOWN: Hinsdale, IL
COURSE: 2
RESIDENCE: Burton 1
AFFILIATION: Alpha Phi
RING:Prism PVD
HOMETOWN: Chula Vista, CA
COURSE: 16
RESIDENCE: Beta Theta Pi
RING:Brass PVD
HOMETOWN: Sunnyvale, CA
COURSE: 4
RESIDENCE: McCormick Hall
AFFILIATION: Pi Beta Phi
RING:18K White Gold
HOMETOWN: Hong Kong
COURSE: 4
RESIDENCE: New House
RING:14K Rose Gold
HOMETOWN:Radnor, PA
COURSE: 11-6
RESIDENCE: Alpha Phi
RING:14K White Gold
WHAT IS RINGCOMM?
RingComm is a committee of 12 students who design their respective class' MIT Brass Rat and organize the ring-related events, such as Ring Premiere and Ring Delivery.HOW MANY PEOPLE PURCHASE A GOLD RING?
Historically, around 80% of students in a given class have bought a Gold Ring.WHO MANUFACTURES THE BRASS RAT?
The class of 2022 Brass Rat will be manufactured by Herff Jones at their site in Rhode Island.WHEN AND WHERE WILL RING DELIVERY BE HELD?
This year's delivery will be held at the Boston Park Plaza on April 19th.HOW CAN I PURCHASE A BRASS RAT?
All information regarding ordering can be found here!If you have any specific questions, you can contact the MIT ring specialist, Jeff Quirk at 401.383.0028 or jpquirk@herffjones.com.
FURTHER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS?
Email us at brassrat-2022@mit.edu!DELIVERY HAS BEEN MOVED
Please fill out this form so that we know if you want your ring shipped to your home address or held until fall delivery. Visit our Facebook page or Instagram for more information.