Ring Dance

Ring Dance will begin with each participating junior Westhampton student being individually recognized during the procession. The junior WC student may choose to walk alone or be accompanied by up to two individuals during the procession. After the procession light food/appetizers will be served and the students and their guests are free to celebrate on the dance floor, take additional photographs, mingle with friends, and have a great time.  The timeline for Ring Dance is as follows:

12-4 p.m. Early check-in for Ring Dance to receive your event wristband (this is separate from the wristbands issued by the Omni Hotel for overnight guests).  Please take advantage of this opportunity to check in early if you are able as it will save you a lot of time.  Please note that each person must check in individually with their government issued photo i.d.  Each individual must be present to check in. 

5 p.m. Check-in for students and their guests who were not able to check in early with last names A-M

6 p.m. Check-in for students and their guests who were not able to check in early with last names N-Z

6 p.m. Students with last names A-M check in with their ushers on the 2^nd floor of the Omni

6:30 p.m. Ring Dance procession begins

7 p.m. Students with last names N-Z check in with their ushers on the 2^nd floor of the Omni

7:30 p.m. Appetizers served in Shenandoah Room (first round)

8:30-9 p.m. Ring Dance procession ends

8:30-9 p.m. DJ and Band begin to play

9 p.m. Appetizers served in Shenandoah Room (second round)

Midnight Ring Dance concludes

*Please note that students and other guests with a ticket for Ring Dance can check in after their designated time until 11:45 p.m. to attend the event. 

Dean Mia Reinoso Genoni will greet the WC students at the end of the procession and congratulate them on their achievements. If the student has ordered a University of Richmond or Westhampton ring, Dean Genoni also presents the ring to the student. Students who choose to purchase a ring find this a meaningful moment in the ceremony, as do students who choose not to. Only University of Richmond or Westhampton College rings will be presented during Ring Dance. We will not present rings to students that were not purchased through Balfour and shipped directly to Westhampton College. The information for Balfour can be found below.

Balfour will be on campus the following dates and times this fall:

22, 23, and 24 October, 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., University Bookstore

3, 4, and 5 December, 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., University Bookstore

You can also order a ring online through the Balfour website, https://www.balfour.com/richmond. The last day to do so if you want to receive it at Ring Dance is 13 December 2024. 

Students may invite family members, friends, and other students as their guests. The only limit being that each participating junior can purchase tickets for no more than 2 underclass (sophomore or first-year) students. Each ticket cost $70 and all guests must have a ticket for entry to include: juniors, family members, friends, and other students.

You can purchase tickets for Ring Dance online or during cash/check sale dates. 

Each ticket that is purchased will need to be assigned to the person who is attending Ring Dance and listed at the time of purchase. The name listed should match the name that is listed on their government issued ID. Please obtain this information from your guests prior to purchasing tickets.

Tickets can be purchased here. 

Each year financial assistance, primarily in respect to tickets, is available for students who qualify. The application for Ring Dance Assistance can be found here. Please note that all applications for financial assistance must be received by 11 October in order to be considered.

Parking is available in many locations near the Omni on the night of Ring Dance.

We would like to emphasize that there is no expectation that junior WC students who attend Ring dance stay in the Omni or elsewhere. Transportation will be provided on the night of Ring Dance via a bus that will run continuous loops between campus and the Omni. While some WC students and their guests choose to stay at another hotel in the greater Richmond area; others will choose to stay at the Omni in rooms reserved for members of the Class of 2026 and their guests. If you wish to stay at the Omni Richmond Hotel, you can contact the hotel on 22 October at 10:30 a.m. Please note that if you call before this time they will not be able to accommodate your request. You can also reserve a room online using this link. Again, this link will not be active until 22 October at 10:30 am. Additional information regarding the Omni call-in date as well as a list of other hotels in the area can be found below.

Nearby Hotel Options:

The Berkeley Hotel, 1200 E. Cary St., 804-780-1300

Graduate Richmond, 301 W. Franklin, 804-644-9871

Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown, 501 E. Broad, 804-344-4300

The Jefferson Hotel, 101 W. Franklin, 804-788-8000

Quirk Hotel, 201 W. Broad, 804-340-6040

Richmond Marriott, 500 E. Broad St., 804-643-3400

The Westin, 6631 W. Broad St., 804-282-8444

Ring Dance participants and guests will be issued a Ring Dance wristband during check in to Ring Dance. This wristband is different than the wristband that is issued by the Omni Hotel for overnight guests. An Omni wristband is required to access the Omni elevator or stairs to guest rooms beginning the morning of Ring Dance.

Don Monteaux is the official photographer for Ring Dance 2025.

Please stop by with your family and/or friends for a quick portrait session in the Canal room from 4:45PM to 6:00PM and again following the conclusion of the procession. There is no cost for the portrait sessions.

Every student will be photographed during the procession. Images will be made available online after the event. 

You may pre-register now and will be notified when the images are available to view. Please use the link or scan the code below to pre-register to view all of the images from the evening.

https://donmonteauxphotography.shootproof.com/ringdance2025