The idea of a ceremony for the Obligation of Canadian Engineers dates back to 1922, when seven past-presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada attended a meeting in Montreal with other engineers.  The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, to be administered by the Corporation of the Seven Wardens Inc. was instituted with the simple end of directing newly qualified Canadian engineers toward a consciousness of their profession and its social significance, and indicating to more experienced engineers their responsibilities in welcoming and supporting the newer engineers when they are ready to enter the profession.

The Obligation Ceremony is not connected to any other engineering organization nor to any university, although many of them support the idea of the Obligation and may participate in the administration of the Ceremonies.

Reference: The above was adapted from the Iron Ring website.

Iron Ring – Contact List

The Corporation of the Seven Wardens Camp XIII has a history dating back to 1922, when seven past-presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada attended a meeting in Montreal with other engineers. One of the speakers was civil engineer Professor Haultain of the University of Toronto. He felt that an organization was needed to bind all members of the engineering profession in Canada more closely together. He also felt that an obligation or statement of ethics to which a young graduate in engineering could subscribe should be developed. The seven past-presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada were very receptive to this idea.

The object of the Ritual can be stated as follows: The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer has been instituted with the simple end of directing the newly qualified engineer toward a consciousness of the profession and its social significance and indicating to the more experienced engineer their responsibilities in welcoming and supporting the newer engineers when they are ready to enter the profession.

The Ritual is administered by a body called The Corporation of the Seven Wardens Inc./Société des Sept Gardiens inc. The seven past-presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada in 1922 were the original seven Wardens. The Corporation is responsible for administering and maintaining the Ritual and in order to do so creates Camps in various locations in Canada. The Ritual is not connected with any university or any engineering organization; the Corporation is an entirely independent body. The Ritual has been copyrighted in Canada and in the United States.

The Iron Ring has been registered and may be worn on the little finger of the working hand by any engineer who has been obligated at an authorized ceremony of the Ritual of the Calling of the Engineer. The ring symbolizes the pride which engineers have in their profession, while simultaneously reminding them of their humility. The ring serves as a reminder to the engineer and others of the engineer’s obligation to live by a high standard of professional conduct. It is not a symbol of qualification as an engineer – this is determined by the provincial and territorial licensing bodies.

The deadline to complete the Application process below is Friday, January 27, 2023. This application is for the 2023 Iron Ring ceremony which could take place in person or virtually depending on health regulations and approval of the university.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Print and complete the External Application Form  & complete the online payment via the online payment form. Your application will not be reviewed until we receive your payment.

BTech students must complete their PEO challenge exams before they are eligible for the iron ring.  This also applies to BTech students who have completed an MEng, MASc, or PhD (they must still apply to the PEO and pass any exams they are assigned). This is a newer, stricter rule effective as of 2017.

If you are from camp XIII and you have misplaced your ring follow the steps below to receive your replacement.

1. The cost to replace your Iron Ring is $30.00.

2. If you would like to pay by credit card please use our online tool ring replacement request and we will send you a replacement ring in the mail to the address provided. Please allow 7-10 business days for this process.

3. If you would like to pay by cash or cheque please come to the office (JHE A201D) anytime between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm to receive your replacement on the spot. Please note the office is not open daily,  if you would like to come in to exchange/replace your iron ring please email centuri@mcmaster.ca to make an appointment.

4. We accept payment in Canadian funds only – cash, Visa/Mastercard/Amex or cheque made payable to “Iron Ring”. Please do not email credit card information.

Replacement Refund Policy:

Rings may be exchanged for a different size, we are unable to offer refunds.

Iron Ring Exchange:

To exchange your Iron Ring for a different size at no cost, please mail in your ring indicating the new size you would like sent to you OR come by the Engineering Alumni Office (JHE A201D) to exchange your ring on the spot.

If you have any questions or for more information regarding your Iron Ring replacement, please contact Iwona Centurami at centuri@mcmaster.ca

The actual ringing of the candidate may be done by any obligated engineer of your choice who has taken the obligation a minimum of 10 years ago. The intent of this requirement is to have Engineers of some experience, welcoming and encouraging you as a new Engineer. Submit the Presenter form no later than Friday, February 14, 2020.

Seven Camp Wardens will be in attendance at the ceremony to present the rings to graduating engineers who do not have presenters. In this case, the Presenter form does not need to be filled out.

IMPORTANT: If there is a possibility that a special circumstance exists concerning the individual you intend to ask to ring you, you must explain the circumstance in a written notice and submit it along with the Presenter form to the Engineering Alumni Office no later than Friday, January 1, 2020 to be approved by the Camp Wardens.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  If your proposed Presenter has not been Obligated (i.e. has not received their Iron Ring at a prior Ritual of the Calling of An Engineer), they cannot present an Iron Ring, or otherwise participate in, the Ceremony.  This requirement stands even if your proposed Presenter is a Professional Engineer, but has not been Obligated.  It is mandatory that a Presenter must be an Obligated Engineer.  No exceptions.

Please fill out the presenter form on our website.

NOTE:  Only Engineers who are on the Potential Engineering Graduand list will be photographed.  If you did not receive an email from Iwona Centurami (centuri@mcmaster.ca) your name was not provided by Engineering Student Services.   Please check in with your Academic Advisor to be added to the Potential Engineering Graduand list. 

Start planning early to attend your reunion – mark your calendar! Your next reunion may be just around the corner so check the dates on our Events page.  Reunions provide the perfect opportunity to get reacquainted with old classmates and reconnect with your alma mater. For some of you, your class reunion will be the first chance to revisit McMaster University since graduation and you will marvel at all the changes on campus!

Reunions are held throughout the year. Get in touch with former classmates to start planning now, or email engalum@mcmaster.ca for more information if you would to like organize a reunion.