SFA artists craft special ring statue to celebrate school’s 100th anniversary

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - The SFA Lumberjacks are celebrating their 100th birthday today, and according to Executive Director for Alumni Relations Craig Turnage, there’s no better way to commemorate it than with a giant class ring.

“You know, it really marks a student’s journey through their graduation process, so when you reach a number of hours that you’ve received here at SFA, you’re eligible to come purchase your SFA ring, and inside of that ring it says, ‘a mentor for life,’” said Turnage.

As students and alumni walk by the ring, “a mentor for life” is a phrase Turnage wants them to remember.

“I hope that this serves as a sense of pride, serves as a sense of hope, certainly, because so many students can say, ‘maybe I have struggles or things along the way,’ and know that there are other Lumberjacks here who help them along the way,” said Turnage.

Pyrology Foundry and Studio Project Coordinator Rebecca Bishop said the 5,000-pound class ring took 11 months and about 2,000 man-hours to make.

The ring also includes a few historical coins from SFA alumni.

“So, when the alumni came to visit the foundry and take a tour, they all brought pennies. Most of them were their class years, and they all threw them into our furnace that had the melted bronze in it,” said Bishop.

The front crest consists of the alumni’s melted pennies, and as an SFA alum himself, Turnage said he’s grateful to be able honor the university’s 100 years in a giant way.

“For this to finally come today was really special, and to see this right here on campus -- it was a task to get to that point. I’m very proud in my role here at SFA,” said Turnage.

Monday marked the last day of SFA’s weeklong centennial celebration. Happy birthday SFA!

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