{"id":13924,"date":"2018-05-30T18:12:06","date_gmt":"2018-05-30T18:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/pegasus\/?p=13924&post_type=story"},"modified":"2020-05-21T18:53:16","modified_gmt":"2020-05-21T18:53:16","slug":"golden-guild","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/pegasus\/golden-guild\/","title":{"rendered":"Golden Guild"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summer 2018 | By Nicole Dudenhoefer \u201917\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

From diplomas to the Student Union seal, the Pegasus symbol<\/a> has represented 麻豆原创 for 50 years. But there\u2019s another special place the winged horse can be seen \u2014 on the right hand of President John C. Hitt.<\/p>\n

More than 15 years ago, Hitt came up with the idea for the Pegasus ring while brainstorming ways to honor people who have greatly demonstrated their loyalty to the university.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted something that we could give to individuals who served 麻豆原创 well, in some really beneficial and conspicuous way,\u201d says Hitt. \u201cI wanted to recognize people who just love the university and do all they can. It may not be someone with a whole lot of money, but anytime you call on them, they\u2019re there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are some fun facts about the ring:<\/p>\n

1. Reach for the Stars<\/span>
\nMade of 14-karat gold, the ring features Pegasus, which has been 麻豆原创\u2019s official seal since the university\u2019s first president Charles Millican<\/a> introduced it on April 5, 1968. The diamond represents 麻豆原创\u2019s motto of \u201cReach for the Stars.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ve tried to have the ring be something people would want and would be motivated to achieve,\u201d Hitt says.<\/p>\n

2. Custom Made<\/span>
\nUsing his own money, Hitt commissioned Sanibel, Florida, goldsmith William Wilson to bring the idea to life. The first ring was made for Hitt, and \u201c#one John Hitt\u201d is inscribed inside the ring. \u201cI liked it as soon as I saw it.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. Recognizing Commitment<\/span>
\nHitt has given 33 custom-made rings to men and pendants to women. Recipients include Al Burnett, Frances Millican, Roger Pynn \u201973<\/strong> and, of course, Martha Hitt. \u201cIt\u2019s neat when you sit down with a group of leaders in the community and you see multiple [Pegasus] rings and pendants,\u201d says Hitt. \u201cThat kind of lets you know the university is understood to be an asset that evokes pride.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. Pegasus Takes Shape<\/span>
\nWilson designed the ring\u2019s unique mold from a simple JPEG, transforming the Pegasus seal into a golden 3-D masterpiece. \u201cBill [Wilson] did a lot of work where he produced a copy of a fish or a little crab, and it was remarkably good work, so we asked if he might be interested in doing this, [and] he thought it was kind of a fun idea,\u201d Hitt says.<\/p>\n

5. Prized Possession<\/span>
\nThanks to a trusted routine, Hitt has never lost the ring. He puts it on every morning, and every evening when he gets home from work, he returns it to his dresser for safekeeping. \u201cCertainly, the ring is the most precious piece of jewelry that I own \u2014 other than my wedding band,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":14128,"template":"","categories":[975],"tags":[938,775],"class_list":["post-13924","story","type-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-artifact","tag-charles-millican","tag-john-c-hitt","issues-1242","issues-summer-2018"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Story Behind John C. Hitt's Golden Pegasus Ring<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn the origin story of the signature golden Pegasus ring John C. 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