Owl and Key

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
Founded1909
University of Utah
TypeSenior society
EmphasisHonor
ScopeLocal
Chapters1
HeadquartersSalt 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

See also

References

  1. McConkie, Rochelle (3 February 2009). "Bonesmen celebrate 100 years". Daily Utah Chronicle. Salt Lake City, Utah. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  2. "2 Men's Honoraries Taking Applications". The Daily Utah Chronicle. Salt Lake City, Utah. 1965-05-06. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-08-02 via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Three Students Voted Admission to Owl and Key". Salt Lake Telegram. Utah. 1939-11-09. p. 15. Retrieved 2023-08-02 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Owl and Key Selects Outstanding Senior Men". The Daily Utah Chronicle. Salt Lake City, Utah. 1964-12-07. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-08-02 via Newspapers.com.
  5. Utonian. University of Utah. 1963. p. 35 via J. Willard Marriott Digital Library, University of Utah.
  6. "Owl and Key Initiates 15 Seniors". The Daily Utah Chronicle. Salt Lake City, Utah. 1940-02-01. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-08-02 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Deadline Set for Skai-B Applications". The Daily Utah Chronicle. Salt Lake City, Utah. 1940-03-21. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-08-02 via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Skull and Bones Will Elect Men, New Plan Opens Owl and Key Membership". The Daily Utah Chronicle. Salt Lake City, Utah. 1933-03-02. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-08-02 via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Utonian". University of Utah. 1951. p. 226. Retrieved 2023-08-02 via J. Willard Marriott Digital Library, University of Utah.
  10. "Owl and Key Names 12 Senior Men". The Daily Utah Chronicle. Salt Lake City, Utah. 1955-04-06. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-08-02 via Newspapers.com.
  11. Utonian. University of Utah. 1960. p. 261. via J. Willard Marriott Digital Library, University of Utah.
  12. Chamberlin, Ralph (1960). The University of Utah: A History of Its First Hundred Years. Salt Lake City, UT: University of Utah Press. p. 317.
  13. "Robert F. Bennett BS'57". Beeline. University of Utah Alumni Association. Spring 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  14. "Obituary for J. Thomas Greene, 1929-2011". The Daily Spectrum. Saint George, Utah. 2011-02-16. p. 16. Retrieved 2023-08-02 via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Dantzel White Engaged to Russel M. Nelson". The Salt Lake Tribune. Utah. 1945-08-11. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-08-02 via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Elder Hugh Pinnock dies at 66". Deseret News. 8 December 2000. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  17. "Judge Thornley King Swan". The Salt Lake Tribune. 2002-08-10. p. 17. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  18. "Obituary: Judge Thornley King Swan". Deseret News. 2002-08-11. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
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