Written by Lauren Bucher
An engagement ring disappeared during a ring ceremony at the fountain in front of the Administration Auditorium at 10 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21. The ring is still missing.
The ceremony was for junior BethAnne Colvin, a member of Pi Theta Phi who has served as the secretary of the SA and as Impact director. Everything was progressing normally during the ring ceremony until Colvin blew out the candle. According to tradition, the candle has the ring on it and is passed around the club while members sing the club song. As soon as she blew out the candle, everyone ran towards her in the excitement of the moment.
“It got around to me and I blew it out. I jumped up for just a few seconds. Then I hugged somebody and it was gone.”Colvin said. “I noticed it wasn’t there and said, ‘My ring is gone. My ring is gone.'”
As soon as the group noticed that the ring was gone, club members and friends began searching for it.Other students noticed the crowd around the fountain and, wanting to help, joined the search. The search continued until 2 a.m. and began again at 5:30 a.m. During the initial search, club members scoured the fountain, and the Physical Resources department joined in later. The area has also been searched with the aid of metal detectors.
Another club member recorded the ceremony. After an unsuccessful search of the area, Colvin watched the video repeatedly, attempting to see where the ring went. Where the ring flew is unclear from the video, but Colvin plans to give the video to Information Services and Technology to see if they can slow it down enough to show where the ring went.
There is a possibility that the ring fell into someone’s clothing or backpack who was at the ceremony.Club members were encouraged to carefully search their book bags, purses, and pockets.
Public Safety was called, and they filed a police report for Colvin. The police have given local pawn shops a description of the ring. Consequently, if someone has the ring, they will be unable to sell it without being apprehended.
Colvin called her immediate family after the incident to calm back down. Later that night, her parents came to be with her. She said her fiancé has been supportive during the search.
Colvin said that the response of the Harding community has also been very helpful.
“Every time I walk by, somebody is on their hands and knees trying to find it. People have texted and called and sent Facebook messages,” Colvin said. “I know it’s just an object, and it doesn’t define our relationship, but it was really special to me because I waited so long for it.”
The uncertainty of not knowing where the ring is emotionally draining and stressful, Colvin said. However, she is remaining optimistic.
“I know God is good and something good is going to come from this,” Colvin said.
The ring is white gold and has a carat diamond in the middle. Two four-carat diamonds are next to the center diamond, and side stones are on the band. There is a picture on Facebook of the ring. Anyone with information should contact Public Safety.
UPDATE: Colvin’s engagement ring was found Friday, Feb. 26th.
