The Iron Shield Society ''(formerly the Iron Cross Society)'' is an exclusive undergraduate
honors society at the
University of Wisconsin–Madison
A university () is an educational institution, institution of higher education, higher (or Tertiary education, tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. Universities ty ...
.
The student organization was historically a
secret society
A secret society is a club or an organization whose activities, events, inner functioning, or membership are concealed. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence a ...
but the existence of the organization is now public and its members are publicly identified on their web site.
Society inductees who have graduated are also honored by having their names listed at the
Memorial Union.
History
The Iron Shield Society was founded in 1902.
The most visible accomplishment of Iron Shield is the founding of the
Memorial Union. In 1907, the UW–Madison president asked Iron Shield members to help convert the failing
Madison Madison may refer to:
People
* Madison (name), a given name and a surname
* James Madison (1751–1836), fourth president of the United States
Place names
* Madison, Wisconsin, the state capital of Wisconsin and the largest city known by this ...
YMCA
YMCA, sometimes regionally called the Y, is a worldwide youth organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, with more than 64 million beneficiaries in 120 countries. It was founded on 6 June 1844 by George Williams in London, originally ...
into a more meaningful student institution.
Initially only open to men in their
senior year of college, The Iron Shield later allowed both
juniors and women to join.
In 2011, the Iron Shield published an endorsement of the
Wisconsin Idea
The Wisconsin Idea is a public philosophy that has influenced policy and Ideal (ethics), ideals in the Wisconsin, U.S. state of Wisconsin's education system and politics.
In education, emphasis is often placed on how the Idea articulates educa ...
in the ''
Badger Herald
''The Badger Herald'' is a newspaper serving the University of Wisconsin–Madison community, founded in 1969. The paper is published Monday through Friday during the academic year and once during the summer. Available at newsstands across campus ...
''. The open letter exhorted students to not just plug themselves into existing community organizations, but to also think critically about which of their community's needs are not currently being met and how the skills learned in college could help students address those needs.
[Iron Cross Class of 2011.]
Wisconsin Idea not a buzzword
. ''The Badger Herald'', December 6, 2011.
In 2020, the organization made the decision to change its name from the ''Iron Cross Society'' to the ''Iron Shield Society'' to remove potential confusion of association with the
Nazi Iron Cross or
Neo-Nazi
Neo-Nazism comprises the post–World War II militant, social, and political movements that seek to revive and reinstate Nazism, Nazi ideology. Neo-Nazis employ their ideology to promote hatred and Supremacism#Racial, racial supremacy (ofte ...
organizations using the "Iron Cross" name.
Selection process
Unlike other UW–Madison honor societies, faculty, academic staff, student leaders, and student organizations all make nominations to the Iron Shield Society. The exact selection process is not known,
but students' extracurricular, community accomplishments, and (to a lesser extent) GPA is taken into consideration.
Nominations can be made via online form.
Notable alumni
*Professor
Kathy Cramer '94
*Senator
Russ Feingold
Russell Dana Feingold ( ; born March 2, 1953) is an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States Senator from Wisconsin from 1993 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was its nominee in the 2016 election for the same U.S ...
'75
*Former UW Athletic Director
Pat Richter '63
*Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice
Nathan Heffernan
Nathan Stewart Heffernan (August 6, 1920 – April 13, 2007) was an American lawyer and judge. He was the 23rd Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court from 1983 to 1995. Earlier in his career he served as United States Attorney for the du ...
'42
*Former President and CEO of Campbell Soup Company
William Beverly Murphy
William Beverly Murphy (June 17, 1907 – May 29, 1994) was an American food businessman. He was the president and CEO of Campbell Soup Company between 1953 and 1972. From 1942 to 1945 he was on leave from Campbell's Soup to the War Production Boa ...
'28
See also
*
Collegiate secret societies in North America
There are many collegiate secret societies in North America. They vary greatly in their level of secrecy and the degree of independence from their universities. A collegiate ''secret society'' makes significant effort to keep affairs, membership r ...
*
University of Wisconsin–Madison
A university () is an educational institution, institution of higher education, higher (or Tertiary education, tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. Universities ty ...
References
External links
The Iron Shield Society
"What is the Iron Cross Society?"
on the Wisconsin Union The Wisconsin Union is a membership organization at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It operates the Memorial Union, Union South, the Morgridge Center for Public Service, the Hoofer Equestrian Center, Bernie's Place Child Care Center, and a ...
Blog
Ask Abe Q&A on the Iron Shield Society
{{University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Honor societies
Collegiate secret societies