IRON KEY

The following is an excerpt from the Purdue Exponent of May 14, 1910, that sheds light on the history and purpose of IRON KEY:

The society, as planned, corresponds in many respects to similar organizations at other universities, being honorary in nature and recognizing men (now, “men and women”) of ability, prominence, interest and influence in student affairs generally.  The organization will be strictly non-political in policy and aims to be representative of the class and student body.”

The plan of organization was conceived over a year ago (1909) and in order to escape undue criticism the nucleus of the society was selected from among the members of the present junior class by a committee composed of prominent members of the faculty and local alumni.  The policy of ‘Iron Key’ as stated in the Constitution is to duly respect the opinion of the faculty in electing the membership of the society, but it is to be strictly a student organization.

The POLICY OF THE SOCIETY WILL BE SECRET in so far that NO PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP will be made until the close of the college year.   

In actuality, in these modern times, the names of the officers and advisors may be released to the public in the same manner as they would for any other recognized student organization at Purdue University.  The information, however, is not indiscriminately released.  We do so only when necessary or as required.  We must list all officers and the two continuing advisors with the Student Activities and Organizations area of the Office of the Dean of Students in order to maintain our official recognition.  Officers of each new class, however, are not selected until the beginning of fall semester, after the class members have had a chance to get to know one another better.

Adding to the mystique of the organization is the fact that the non-officer members of Iron Key, however, are asked (in keeping with the original charter of IK) not to identify themselves to their peers or others until the end of the year in which they have served as members.  Even the officers, though officially listed with the University, are asked not to VOLUNTEER information about their IK positions and involvement, except in the performance of their duties.

Membership in Iron Key is by invitation only.  Each Iron Key senior class, after serving its term, will identify other student leaders they know from the junior class on campus who they feel will uphold the values and virtues of Iron Key.  Toward the end of their term as members, the senior students meet to discuss the junior student candidates, and a vote is held to determine the next group of 12 student leaders who will be invited to serve as members of Iron Key during their senior year at Purdue University.  In addition to setting and achieving a goal during their senior year, each Iron Key class serves as a sounding board and advisory group to the president of Purdue University.  

Although Iron Key as an organization is not a secret, the purpose behind “secret membership” is for each senior class of IK student members to learn how to serve the University and other students without receiving individual recognition or credit for their work.  They learn the value of “service-oriented leadership,” where it does not matter who receives credit.  The focus of the organization is meant to be entirely on achieving a specific goal, not on receiving recognition.  All IK members are leaders in their own right already; therefore, the challenge is for the members of each class to accomplish something without additional or individual recognition and for them to learn how they can move “behind the scenes” to achieve goals.

It is important to keep in mind that the Office of the Dean of Students is not permitted to REQUIRE the names of members of any student organization, because this practice was outlawed in the late sixties, early seventies.  Therefore, not knowing the individual members in Iron Key is no different than any other organization.  The exception, of course, is that all other groups may voluntarily release the names of members for specific purposes, such as requesting scholarship data collection for evaluation and ranking through the ODOS or for fund-raising or philanthropic activities.

The relationship between Iron Key senior student leaders, the president of Purdue University, the administration and the faculty are strengthened by the fact that Iron Key does not require any University financial support.  Yet, the anononymity of Iron Key’s membership prevents the organization from raising funds on campus like other student organizations.  Therefore, the ability of Iron Key to conduct business effectively rests in the generosity of its own alumni and other friendly benefactors.

Advisors: 

Tony Hawkins, Ph.D.

Dean of Students

Phone: (765) 494-1239

Fax: (765) 496-1550

lthawkins@purdue.edu

Chris Foster

K – 12 STEM Program Director, Discovery Park

(765) 49-42981

cjfoster@purdue.edu,