Graduates in engineering from engineering curricula accredited by ABET, seniors in ABET-accredited engineering curricula within two academic terms of graduation, engineering students graduating in any term of the year of the ceremony, licensed professional engineers, and special individuals who, by reason of education, eminence, or experience, are deemed worthy of the Order.
Affirming engineers' professional ethical responsibilities
2025 Order of the Engineer Ceremony
Date & Time: Monday, May 12, 2025 | 7:00-9:00 PM
Location: Zupnik Forum, Clark Hall
Register Here: umd.alumniq.com/go/OOTE2025
Graduating seniors and alumni are invited to the Order of the Engineer Ceremony, where inductees will receive a ring and take the Obligation of the Engineer. Taking the oath symbolizes unity of purpose and lifelong dedication to the profession of engineering. Following the ceremony, enjoy a dessert reception hosted by the UMD Engineering Alumni Network.
Special guest speaker to be announced!
Order of the Engineer
The Order of the Engineer is the roster of engineers in the United States who have participated in an Engineers’ Ring Ceremony and who have publicly accepted the Obligation of an Engineer.
The first Ring Ceremony was then held in 1925 at the University of Toronto. The rings are rumored to have been created from the remains of the Quebec Bridge, which became a source of embarrassment for design engineers when it collapsed in 1907. The rings' purpose was to serve as a reminder of the consequences of failures and that engineers must persist in the pursuit of excellence. There are currently 250 "links" in the United States. The Clark School is Link 137.
Obligation of an Engineer
The obligation is the formal statement of an engineer’s responsibilities to the public and to the profession and is publicly accepted during induction at a Ring Ceremony. The obligation is similar to the National Society of Professional Engineers’ Engineer’s Creed, the Engineer’s Council for Professional Development’s Canon, and the Canadian Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer. It is symbolized by a steel band wear on the small finger of an engineer's working hand.
Eligibility for Induction
Those eligible for induction include:
- Graduates in engineering from engineering curricula accredited by ABET
- Seniors in ABET-accredited engineering curricula within two academic terms of graduation
- Engineering students graduating in any term of the year of the ceremoy
- Licensed professional engineers
- Special individuals who, by reason of education, eminence, or experience, are deemed worthy of the order
Order of the Engineer Frequently Asked Questions
Inductees must be present at the ceremony in order to recite the Obligation of an Engineer and join the Order. Alumni are welcome to join the Order at any time and are allowed to attend a future ceremony. Eligible students and alumni are also allowed to attend another college or university's Order of the Engineer ceremony if the Clark School ceremony date poses a conflict.
Due to the nature of this event, including advance ring orders, we do not accept on-site registrations for the Order of the Engineer ceremony.
The Engineer’s Ring in the United States is a stainless steel ring, worn on the fifth finger (pinky finger) of the working hand by engineers who have accepted the Obligation of an Engineer in a ring ceremony. To order the correct ring size, please use the ring sizing guide located here.
Family and friends may pay for the inductee's registration to the Order of the Engineer ceremony, but the graduating student and/or alum must attend the ceremony in person. Family and friends may also gift University of Maryland Alumni Association memberships through the link here.
Requested attire is business.
Due to space limitations, guest tickets are limited to two tickets per inductee.
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