The Josh Sterns '99 and Memorial Ring Collections are displayed together and are very important pieces of A&M history. They both serve as a lasting memorial in celebration of the Ring owners’ lives as Aggies.
The idea was created by J.B. “Josh” Sterns, Class of 1899, when he collected one Aggie Ring from each class from 1899 to 1964. His journey began in 1963 when he wrote over 4,000 letters in the span of 3 years asking former students to donate their Aggie Rings to be part of a permanent ring collection. In return, they were allowed to order a replacement ring. After collecting all the class years from The A&M College of Texas, Sterns said, "It'll have to be up to someone else to collect the Senior Class Rings from Texas A&M University." On his 92nd birthday, January 15, 1970, he presented his collection to The Association of Former Students for permanent display. There are still former students living today whose rings are part of the Sterns Ring Collection.
The Association continues Josh's great legacy by accepting one Aggie Ring for each class year. Rings from 1965 to present are part of the The Memorial Ring Collection and have been donated by loved ones of a deceased member of our Aggie family. The only exception is the Class of 1995, when a husband and wife, both Class of '95, were killed in an automobile accident. Their Aggie Rings are displayed together.
The Ring Collections, along with other unique and historic rings, are currently on display at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr Alumni Center.
