During a formal ceremony, 12 engineering students at Penn State Scranton were celebrated for their accomplishments during the campus' inaugural Engineering Ring Ceremony. As part of the ceremony, the students pledged to honor the Engineering Oath and to uphold the standards and dignity of the engineering profession. Credit: Amy Gruzesky / Penn State. Creative Commons

DUNMORE, Pa. — This spring, 12 mechanical engineering students at Penn State Scranton were honored during the mechanical engineering program’s inaugural Engineering Ring Ceremony, marking an important milestone in their academic and professional journeys while launching what engineering faculty hope will become an annual campus tradition.

The ceremony celebrated the students' achievements as they prepared to enter the engineering profession and emphasized the ethical responsibilities that accompany their careers.

Engineering Club President Alexis Colasurdo played a key role in organizing the inaugural event, and her leadership and dedication helped contribute to its success, according to Associate Professor of Engineering/Mechanical Engineering Program Coordinator Majid Chatsaz, who also serves as the Engineering Club’s adviser.

During the ceremony, participants accepted the “Obligation of an Engineer,” a formal ethical creed for engineering students and professionals similar to the Hippocratic Oath, which contains parts of the Canon of Ethics of major engineering societies. Those who participate pledge to uphold the standards and dignity of the engineering profession and to serve humanity by making the best use of the Earth’s precious wealth.

The new inductees also received a stainless steel engineering ring, to be worn on the fifth finger of their dominant hand, as a lifelong, visible reminder of their commitment to integrity, honor and service to society.

Students who received engineering rings were:

• Maroon Chalhoub
• Stanley Ciborosky
• Alexis Colasurdo
• Richard Cronin
• Dylan Gaska
• Megan Gatto
• Jonathan Lobos
• Ayman Mansuri
• Emily Toro
• Joshua Wiesel
• Hannah Williams
• Kevin Yang

Chatsaz explained that the ceremony represented an important moment for both the students and Penn State Scranton.

"The Engineering Ring Ceremony marks an important milestone in our students' academic and professional journeys. Hosting this ceremony at Penn State Scranton for the first time made the occasion especially meaningful, as it allowed us to celebrate our students' hard work, perseverance, and commitment to the engineering profession within our own campus community,” he said. “We hope this ceremony becomes a lasting tradition that inspires future generations of engineering students."

The Engineering Ring Ceremony is a longstanding tradition in the engineering profession. Known as the Order of the Engineer in the United States and the Iron Ring Ceremony in Canada, it brings together graduating students and practicing engineers to publicly affirm their commitment to ethical practice and professional responsibility.

The tradition traces its roots to Canada in 1922, following the collapse of the Quebec Bridge, which underscored the critical importance of sound engineering practice and public safety. Today, the ceremony serves as a reminder that engineers have a lifelong responsibility to uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity and service. The stainless steel ring is worn on the little finger of the working hand, where it serves as a daily reminder of that professional obligation.

Unlike a professional society or licensing organization, the Order of the Engineer is a lifelong pledge rather than a membership organization. Its purpose is to foster pride, responsibility and ethical conduct while providing a visible symbol of an engineer's commitment to serving humanity.

"It was a wonderful event, and we look forward to continuing this tradition and recognizing our students' achievements for years to come," Chatsaz said.