Are you ready to accept the Obligation of an Engineer?
The Order of the Engineer was established in the United States to inspire pride and responsibility in the engineering profession, bridge the gap between academic training and professional experience, and present to the public a visible symbol identifying engineers.
The first ceremony took place on June 4, 1970, at Cleveland State University. Since then, similar ceremonies have been held across the United States, inviting graduates and registered engineers to accept the Obligation of the Engineer and receive a stainless steel ring. These ceremonies are organized by Links, the local sections of the Order.
The Order is not a membership organization—there are no meetings to attend or dues to pay. Instead, it fosters a lifelong commitment to the unity of purpose and the honoring of one’s pledge.
The Obligation of the Engineer is a creed similar to the Hippocratic Oath, traditionally taken by medical graduates. It sets forth an ethical code and incorporates elements of the Canon of Ethics from major engineering societies. By voluntarily accepting the Obligation, initiates a pledge to uphold the standards and dignity of the engineering profession and serve humanity by responsibly utilizing Earth’s precious resources.
The Obligation is also reminiscent of the Canadian “Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer,” which originated in 1926. That ceremony, featuring a wrought iron ring, a secret ritual, and an oath authorized by Rudyard Kipling, remains exclusive to Canada due to copyright and other constraints. The Order of the Engineer in the United States, established in 1970, adopted the premise of the Ritual. For more information, visit: http://www.order-of-the-engineer.org.
If your answer to the question above is “YES,” and you are graduating with an engineering degree this semester or are a faculty member who has not yet taken the Obligation, you are invited to participate. For additional details, refer to the FAQ section below or contact Debbie Jones at djones@eng.ufl.edu.
Order of the Engineer: Fall 2025
Venue: J.W. Reitz Union Grand Ballroom
Date: December 13, 2025
Time: Ceremony begins at 11:00 AM
Breakfast: Complimentary continental breakfast will be served for participants and their guests from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Participation: To participate, you must pay a $25 fee and attend a ring sizing session at one of the scheduled times below.
Walk-In Ring Sizing Sessions: Weil Hall 200
11/17: 10am-3pm, 11/18: 10am-3pm, 11/19: 1pm-4pm, 11/20: 10am-3pm
- Graduating Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering seniors for the current semester. College graduate students are invited as well.
- Current Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering faculty
- Alumni of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
Business professional attire is recommended. The Order of the Engineer ceremony is a public event emphasizing the professionalism of engineering. Photos may be taken and used in local newspapers, UF publications, and UF websites.
No. All participants must attend the full ceremony and take the oath to receive the ring and become a member of the Order of the Engineer.
To ensure a comfortable experience for all, seating is limited to two guests per student.
All participants must:
Register for the Order of the Engineer
Pay a $25 participation fee.
Attend a ring sizing session – dates for Fall 2025: 11/17, 11/18 & 11/20: 10am-3pm; 11/19: 1pm-4pm