Ring Dance

Ring Dance is an elegant Westhampton College event, in which junior class students and their families and loved ones celebrate their academic and personal progress, in celebration of their accomplishments over the years at the University. The Westhampton deans introduce each student one by one, and congratulate them individually.

Ring Dance 2026: 7 February 2026

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  • The Program

    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 hors d’oeuvres 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 2nd 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 2nd floor of the Omni

    7:15 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres served in Shenandoah Room (first round)

    8:00 - 8:30 p.m. Ring Dance procession ends

    Immediately following procession - DJ and Band begin to play

    8:30 p.m. Hor d’oeuvres served in Shenandoah Room (second round)

    11:00 pm Ring Dance concludes

    *Please note that students and other guests with a ticket for Ring Dance can check in after their designated time until 10:30 p.m. to attend the event. 

  • The Rings

    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:

    5 - 6 December, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, 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 19 December 2025. 

     

  • Tickets

    Ticket sales begin 30 October 2025

    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. 

    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. 

    If you wish to purchase a ticket via cash or check please make an appointment using this link. 

  • Financial Assistance
    Each year financial assistance is available for students who qualify. The application for assistance with Ring Dance Assistance tickets can be found here. If you wish to request assistance with attire instead, or in addition to a request for assistance with tickets, please complete this form. You will use the “Undergraduate Students” SHS form and select “Special Event Clothing” as your category. It is important to note that Special Event Clothing has an annual allowance up to $125 for formal attire to attend a University-sponsored and University-wide event (i.e. Ring Dance, Black Excellence Gala) which requires formal attire. All applications for financial assistance, tickets and/or attire, must be received by 5 December to be considered. Award emails will be sent on or before 17 December. If you are applying for assistance with Ring Dance tickets, please do not purchase tickets before receiving your email notification.   

  • Parking

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

  • Where to Stay

    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. If you have questions about the Omni please contact them directly at 1-800-THE-OMNI. 

    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

  • Transportation
    There will be a shuttle leaving campus at 5 p.m. on the night of Ring Dance for WC juniors and their guests. The shuttle will cycle continuously between campus and the Omni throughout the night leaving campus at the Transportation Hub on the hour and the Omni on the half hour except for the final shuttle which will depart the Omni at 11:00 p.m. to return to campus. 

  • Wristbands

    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.

     

  • Photography

    Don Monteaux is the official photographer for Ring Dance 2026.

    Please stop by from 4:45 - 6:00 PM on the night of Ring Dance with your family and/or friends for a quick protrait session. Additional portrait sessions are available at the conclusion of the procession. There is no cost for portrait sessions. You will have the opportunity to download digital copies of the procession photos after the event at no charge. 

    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 (NEED UPDATED LINK)