Owl and Key
Student society at the University of Utah, US
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Owl and Key is a student organization at the University of Utah that is a cross between a senior society and an honor society.[1]
| Owl and Key | |
|---|---|
Owl and Key logo, 1916 | |
| Founded | 1909 University of Utah |
| Type | Senior society |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Active |
| Emphasis | Honor |
| Scope | Local |
| Chapters | 1 |
| Headquarters | Salt Lake City, Utah United States |
History
Owl and Key, a senior honor society, and Skull and Bones, a junior secret society, were both organized at the University of Utah in 1909.[2][3][4] The Utah societies were not affiliated with Yale University but borrowed from its campus traditions.[2][4]
The purpose of Owl and Key was to foster spirit among the senior class and to uphold the standards and traditions of the University."[5] New members are initiated into the society by alumni of Owl and Key near the start of the spring semester of the senior year.[6] The initiates then plan events such as an annual spring formal.[6]
Owl and Key also acts as the parent organization for Skull and Bones, overseeing the spring recruitment and application process of the juniors who wish to join the secret society.[7] Once applications are received, the active members of Owl and Key select the future members of Skull and Bones.[7]
Membership
Historically, all Owl and Key members were previously members of Skull and Bones, with the latter automatically becoming a member of Owl and Key before graduation.[8][9][3] In March 1933, Owl and Key decided to increase its membership by five men so it could also invite worthy students who had not been selected for Skull and Bones.[8] However, its membership is still primarily from Skull and Bones.[9] For example, in its 1940 class, twelve of the fifteen members were from Skull and Bones, with just three new additions.[6] In the 1955 class, eight of the twelve-men members were from Skull and Bones, with four being new additions.[10]
Members are selected the spring semester of their senior year by Owl and Key alumni.[5][11] Membership was traditionally restricted to senior men; however, women are now members.[1][12] Invitations are extended students for the academic achievement, leadership, and service in the campus community.[1][4] Students may also nominate themselves by applying to either Skull and Bones or Owl and Key.[7] Membership to Owl and Key is limited to fifteen initiates per year.[1]
Notable Members
- Bob Bennett – United States Senator[13]
- Arnie Ferrin – professional basketball player[9]
- John Thomas Greene Jr. – United States district judge[14]
- David S. King – United States House of Representatives[2]
- Russell M. Nelson –. President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints[15]
- Vadal Peterson – basketball coach[2]
- Hugh W. Pinnock – authority of the LDS Church and Presidency of the Seventy[16]
- George Albert Smith Jr. – professor at Harvard Business School[9][2]
- Thornley King Swan – Chief Judge in the Utah Judicial Council[17][18]