March 22 was an historic day on McMaster’s campus as the Faculty of Engineering welcomed friends and family of graduating students to the first-ever Camp XIII Iron Ring ceremony open to guests.
The ceremony, which dates back to 1922, recognizes the importance of ethical practices and ideals to which all engineers across Canada are held. The Iron Ring serves as a symbol to the next generation of engineers to fulfill their profession with the utmost care and respect for the communities that they serve.
Engineers in the audience had the opportunity to present their graduating child, sibling, grandchild or significant others with their Iron Ring.
Learn about four duos with Fireball Family connections spanning generations.
Jarod Rankin
Software Engineering
Iron Ring presented by:
Sister, Ashton Rankin, Software Engineering ‘14
How does it feel to share this experience together?
Ashton: I remember Jarod as a baby. I remember so many of his milestones and achievements but presenting his Iron Ring to him is extra sentimental. I can’t help but feel not only proud of Jarod’s achievement today, but sentimental that he saw a version of what he’d like to pursue in the path I took almost 10 years ago.
Jarod: When I was younger, I would see the milestones and achievements my sister would accomplish, and I would hope that one day I could follow in her footsteps. I remember when she started her journey at McMaster and seeing the friendships and memories she made during her time there, it made me want to be just like my sister. Ashton has been a large inspiration and idol in my life and sharing this experience with her means the world to me. It signifies the end to a chapter that I’ve been planning since I was young, and the start of a new chapter that I know I will once again look to her for advice and experiences on to help me accomplish all my goals and aspirations.
What is the best thing about being a part of the Fireball Family?
For us, the best part of the Fireball Family is extending our actual family. Beyond Jarod and Ashton, we have two other family members who are proud McMaster Engineering grads: Chris – Ashton’s husband, and Luke our soon to be brother-in-law. These relationships began at McMaster, and our family continues to grow.
What does the Iron Ring mean to you?
Ashton: For me, it’s a reminder that I can do hard things. Four years at McMaster Engineering was not easy. Of course there were experiences I will forever be grateful for, but there were challenges adjusting to the engineering workload.
The Iron Ring is a reminder that with the support of my family, friends and classmates, that are now family, I overcame barriers and challenges and graduated from software engineering, and I’ve continued to succeed at much harder things since.
Jarod: To me the Iron Ring serves as a reminder of all the work that I have done throughout my undergraduate degree and the various reasons for my success: maintaining focus, working hard, and rely on your friends and family for support.
The Iron Ring reminds me to embrace challenges and is a reminder that I am capable of taking challenges head on.
Domenico Carbone
Civil Engineering and Management
Iron Ring presented by:
Parent, Rocco Carbone, Civil B.Eng & Management ‘96
How does it feel to share this experience together?
Rocco: As a parent it is an honour and the experience will be forever memorable.
What is the best thing about being a part of the Fireball Family?
Knowing that we are a part of a family like Mac Eng where each individual’s expertise, uniqueness and pursuit of greatness fuels a sense of purpose and fulfillment while maintaining mutual respect for all.
What does the Iron Ring mean to you?
The Iron Ring represents both an achievement and a passage into a profession that greatly affects many. It represents a duty to serve the public with honour and integrity.
Sawyer Tang
Software B.Eng & Management
Iron Ring presented by:
Father, Michael Tang, Ceramics B.Eng & Management ‘95
How does it feel to share this experience together?
Michael: The feeling is special, both touching and nostalgic to experience the ceremony with presenting the Iron Ring.
Sawyer: I am excited to share this experience with my dad! I grew up seeing the Iron Ring on his hand and have always looked forward to the day where he would present me one to wear on mine.
What is the best thing about being a part of the Fireball Family?
Michael: I wouldn’t have expected to have one of my family members as part of the Fireball Family. Sawyer’s sister, Brayden, just accepted her offer to McMaster’s Engineering’s program for this upcoming fall. Our own personal Fireball Family is continuing to grow.
Sawyer: The Fireball Family is a community full of tradition and support that I feel proud to be a part of and share with my dad and sister.
What does the Iron Ring mean to you?
Michael: The ring to me is a reminder and symbol of accomplishment and recognition. There are a number of times when travelling internationally, the Ring worn on my working hand is recognized as a sign of a Canadian Engineer.
Sawyer: The ring is a symbol to me to deeply consider how my actions affect others and the world and to fulfill my responsibility to do what is right.
Evelyn Shrimpton
Civil Engineering
Iron Ring presented by:
Parent, Ian Shrimpton, Civil Engineering ’92
How does it feel to share this experience together?
We are excited, for sure. A lot of the people who are participating in this ceremony started their program in the middle of the pandemic, which presented a lot of unexpected challenges, but now it’s exciting to get to the final chapter and think about what’s next.
What is the best thing about being a part of the Fireball Family?
Evelyn: My dad and my sister are both Civil Mac Eng grads so there is has always been a deeper sense of family connection to the Fireball Family.
What does the Iron Ring mean to you?
It’s a reminder of our obligations to a high standard of work and an ethical practice.
