Khrystal Marie Armstong (Left, long sleeve button up shirt) Jazmine Aron (Right, short sleeve shirt)
Photo submitted by Shavell Martin
The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering celebrated the upcoming graduation of its students Thursday with a ring ceremony for “The Order of the Engineer.”
Only two of those who pledged are students at Florida A&M, and both are women.
The Order of the Engineer was initiated in the United States to foster a spirit of pride and responsibility in the engineering profession, and to bridge the gap between training and experience. It serves to present to the public a visible symbol identifying the engineer.
Since 2007, the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering has held ceremonies for its graduating students to accept the obligation of being an engineer along with a stainless-steel ring. There are no dues or meetings, but a lifelong expectation to uphold the pledge in their everyday practice. That pledge is to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare, as engineers are largely responsible for the products, processes, and structures that shape our society.
These ceremonies are a celebration, and a time to reflect on the students’ successes and the profession that they are entering.
“We each must be mindful of our responsibility to the public and our profession,” Michelle Roddenberry, the college’s associate dean for student services and undergraduate affairs, said.
“I felt honorable being one of the two African American women at the ceremony. This showed courageousness, independency, and individuality,” Khrystal Marie Armstrong, a civil engineering major from St. Croix, said.
Growing up in a single-parent household, Armstrong had a supportive mother who made sure she had all the necessities to prosper academically every step of the way to make her dreams a reality. Armstrong always had a passion for careers in STEM but knew it was her calling after she was exposed to an engineering lab class while attending the St. Croix Central High school.
“The ceremony established the dedication and hard work of current and upcoming engineers. The ceremony made me feel like I’ve accomplished one of my goals and serves as a major milestone on the foundation I have built toward my career, Ny years attending the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering were without a doubt very challenging, but I enjoyed every moment of it,” Armstrong said. She now plans to proudly use her knowledge and skill set to contribute to the world of engineering.
“Khrystal and I are the only African Americans in our class and in our department, so when I accomplish more, it makes me feel stronger because I’m proving myself to everyone who has doubted me,” Jazmine Aron, an environmental engineering major from Evanston, Illinois, said. Aron said she grew up with a loving mother and father who have supported her in everything. When Aron came to Florida A&M University all she wanted to do was make a difference in the world. She was determined to never give up no matter how hard her coursework got.
“This ceremony was a sense of success, that made me feel accomplished about something so important and I know she can start trying to make a difference in the world around us,” Aron said.