CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Engineering students celebrate 100th anniversary of iron ring ceremony

Graduating students of accredited engineering degree programs at Conestoga gathered at the Cambridge - Fountain Street campus on June 10 for the ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, a uniquely Canadian tradition where emerging engineers receive their iron ring. 

Now 100 years old, the ceremony symbolizes a commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics, competence and responsibility of the engineering profession and its social significance. It began with Canadian mining engineer Herbert Haultain, who, in the years following the collapse of the Quebec Bridge in 1907, proposed the idea of creating a means by which young graduating engineers could commit to the profession to regulate the practice and build community. The tragedy claimed the lives of 76 workers and was largely blamed on inadequate oversight and human arrogance, highlighting the need for rigorous standards and ethical practices.

Six engineers obligated themselves to uphold standards and conduct at the first ceremony on April 25, 1925, in Montreal. A week later, 107 new engineering graduates from the University of Toronto did the same. Each received the iron ring that has become a symbol of engineering in Canada. Worn on the little finger of the working hand, the stainless steel ring is a reminder to the engineer of their responsibility and the challenges and growth they will face in their careers.

The ceremony is overseen by the Corporation of the Seven Wardens and its associated camps throughout Canada. The Wardens of Camp 15, who oversee Waterloo Region, conducted the first ceremony at Conestoga in November 2010, where 14 mechanical engineering candidates from the college made their obligations. Candidates are eligible to participate by successfully completing a post-secondary program accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB).    

In June, emerging engineers from Conestoga's four CEAB-accredited programs were eligible to register to receive their iron ring, joining the century-old legacy.   

"To me, the iron ring represents more than just entering the engineering profession; it's a symbol of the responsibility that I take on and a reminder of the integrity and care our work demands. Being part of the 100th anniversary of this tradition made it even more special," said Zoe Talbot, graduating from the Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Systems Engineering program. "This ring carries the weight of years of hard work, late nights, failed attempts, small wins, and the determination to keep going. It reflects not only what I have learned but how much I have grown. I'm proud to have earned it alongside such an incredible group of future engineers."

Conestoga was the first college in Ontario to deliver accredited engineering programs: the Mechanical Systems Engineering degree, which was accredited in 2010, followed by the Electronic Systems Engineering (2014), Building Systems Engineering (2022), and Power Systems Engineering (2023) degrees. Programs feature project-based learning, co-op work experience and applied research opportunities to prepare graduates for success in their chosen fields.

For more information, visit the School of Engineering & Technology.