March 17, 2026
Monumental change has come to St. Mary’s University.
Located near the Barrett Memorial Tower, the new Rattler Ring bronze replicas were installed on March 12 during Spring Break.
Mounted on a granite base, the rings stand 81 inches tall in total (just under 7 feet) and include both a male and female version of the official St. Mary’s Rattler Ring. The base replicates the design of the pedestal at the center of the Barrett Memorial Bell Tower.
The location also allows the rings to become a feature of Commencement as students will pass them during their procession from St. Louis Hall to Bill Greehey Arena.
The design includes large-scale replicas of the University class rings. The five-pointed star, St. Louis Hall and the textured rattlesnake design on the band are visible, among other campus icons
The rings also include the Barrett Memorial Bell Tower, funded by a lead gift from Charles T. Barrett Jr. (B.B.A. ’60) and his family, paying homage to Barrett’s mother’s favorite movie, The Bells of St. Mary’s. The movie’s song of the same name is the tune to which Brother Louis Schuster, S.M., wrote the lyrics to the Alma Mater.
“More than a monument, the Rattler Ring represents tradition, unity and the Marianist spirit that shapes our St. Mary’s University community,” said Timothy Bessler, Ed.D., Vice President and Dean of Students. “Placed within a space already grounded in faith and pride, it renews and strengthens the legacy we share.”
The replicas were created by Pyrology Foundry and Studio of Bastrop, Texas.