MIT’s Class of 2026 Premieres their Brass Rat

A solar eclipse and a constellation are embedded in the ring!
At the beginning of each spring semester, MIT sophomores gather in Kresge Auditorium for their class ring premiere celebration. The ring, known affectionately as the Brass Rat, is designed by members of the Class Ring Committee (RingComm). Each ring is unique to that class and often has hidden meanings in the intricate design. This past weekend, members of the MIT Class of 2026 celebrated the unveiling of their ring with a memorable, festive event that included music, Brass Rat themed merch, Wide Tim, and of course Tim the Beaver.
All freshmen are welcome to apply to RingComm during their spring semester and the process involves being interviewed by members of the previous class’s ring committee.
The planning for the design of the ring and the premiere event takes a year. The 12 members of RingComm spent a vast amount of time looking at archived data of past class rings when considering their ring design. The RingComm team works together to compile sketches that represent their class. They then collaborate with the ring’s manufacturer, Herff Jones, to produce a Brass Rat that represents their classes’ history and time at MIT.
“In a recent poll, MIT ranked as the #1 dream university in the nation by students. MIT may feel hard at times—juggling P-Sets, UROPs, and extracurriculars—but I never want to forget the privilege I’ve had to attend this university. Decades from now, our class ring will be something that future alumni can look back on and recall what it was like living the MIT dream. I joined RingComm because I wanted to be a part of the team that captures these precious moments into a timeless memento,” says RingComm Chair, Helen Usey.

“One of my favorite easter eggs inside the ring are the four pirate certificate beavers hidden throughout the ring, all dressed up in the respective four PE classes you have to take to acquire the MIT Pirate Certificate,” says Nathan Kim, publicity chair.
“This year’s RingComm also chose a night theme, which is displayed throughout all six sides of the rings. The most unique aspect is the hacker’s map, which is a constellation. I joined RingComm because I felt like there would be something cool about looking down at the ring 30 years from now and thinking, ‘Wow, I made that,’” says Co-Premiere and Study Break Chair, Sean Huckleberry.
Everyone on RingComm agrees that it is not only a privilege to work on their class ring, it's also fun and a great way to meet new people. “Meetings never feel like meetings,” says co-delivery chair, Marco Arias. “The energy and excitement everyone brings to the table made me feel very confident that we’d produce a ring everyone would be proud to own.”
RingComm artist, Vicky Chen, adds, “Being a part of this is super exciting and is a chance to connect with my classmates and learn from their varied experiences.”
Sabrina Chen, who serves as the committee’s treasurer, says, “To the Class of 2027: Apply to be part of RingComm!”
The formal ceremony where the Class of 2026 will receive their Brass Rats takes place May 5 at View Boston in Boston.
To learn more about the Brass Rat for the Class of 2026 visit the website or follow them on Instagram @brassrat26.
(The Class of 2026 RingComm’s members include: Helena Usey, chair; Maggie Yao, vice chair; Sean Huckleberry, co-premiere, study break chair; Hailey Polson, co-premiere chair; Marco Arias, co-delivery chair; Katrina Li, co-delivery chair; Nathan Kim, Publicity Chair; Jamison O'Keefe, web chair; Sabrina Chen, treasurer; Ann Liu, artist; Teresa Jiang, artist; and Vicky Chen, artist.)
By Sarah Foote