The 6th annual Order of the Engineer Ring Ceremony

By COE Press Release
Fall 2012

The 6th annual Order of the Engineer Ring Ceremony was held at the Florida State University Don Veller Seminole Golf Course and Club on Tuesday, November 27, 2012. About three-dozen inductees took the Obligation of an Engineer pledge and received stainless steel rings to wear on their pinkie fingers as a testament to their pledge. The ring is worn on the little finger so that it will drag across any surface on which the wearer writes, providing a constant reminder of the engineer's oath.

The Order of the Engineer is an association for graduate and professional engineers in the United States that emphasizes pride and responsibility in the engineering profession. It was inspired by the success of The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, a similar and much older Canadian ceremony, and is a common presence in American engineering schools. Before joining, members must take an oath to abide by a code of ethics called "The Obligation of an Engineer":

  • I am an engineer; in my profession I take deep pride.
  • To it I owe solemn obligations.
  • Since the Stone Age, human progress has been spurred by the engineering genius.
  • Engineers have made usable nature's vast resources of material and energy for humanity's benefit.
  • Engineers have vitalized and turned to practical use the principles of science and the means of technology.
  • Were it not for this heritage of accumulated experience, my efforts would be feeble.
  • As an engineer, I pledge to practice integrity and fair dealing, tolerance, and respect, and to uphold devotion to the standards and the dignity of my profession, conscious always that my skill carries with it the obligation to serve humanity by making the best use of Earth's precious wealth.
  • As an engineer, [in humility and with the need for Divine guidance,] I shall participate in none but honest enterprises.
  • When needed, my skill and knowledge shall be given without reservation for the public good.
  • In the performance of duty and in fidelity to my profession, I shall give the utmost.

  • - The Obligation of the Engineer

Michelle Rambo-Roddenberry, an associate professor in civil and environmental engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, organized this year's event. "I receive so much encouragement to organize this event each year," remarked Rambo-Roddenberry, "and it's the enthusiasm from participants that makes it all worthwhile."

It takes many people to pull off the Obligation of an Engineer ring ceremony of the Order of the Engineer. And Michelle Rambo-Roddenberry was quick to give praise to those who assisted her. "In particular," said Rambo-Roddenberry, "I thank Tom Hayden, J.W. Hunter, and Mary Jane Hayden (all Tallahassee engineers) for conducting the ceremony."

"Thanks also go to students from the ASCE-FES Student Chapter: Giuliana Mendez for registering inductees and sizing fingers, Laura Morris for helping with set up and calling names, and also Dan Melvin."

"And finally," said Rambo-Roddenberry, "I want to acknowledge this year's ceremony's special guests: Dr. Myron Hayden, Judy Hayden, and Dave Crombie -- all members of the Order who attended the ceremony to support our efforts and shake our inductees' hands."

For more information about the Order, visit www.order-of-the-engineer.org, or for details about future ceremonies held in Tallahassee, email Dr. Michelle Rambo-Roddenberry.