The IMP Society is a secret society at the

University of Virginia The University of Virginia (UVA) is a public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia. Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, the university is ranked among the top academic institutions in the United States, with highly selective ad ...

that is notable for combining philanthropy and public mischief. It was founded in 1902 as a society called the Hot Feet. The society was known primarily for its public ceremonies in which it crowned the society's "king". The Hot Feet were disbanded in 1908 under pressure from the university's Administrative Council, who called the society "very detrimental to the University's welfare" and banned it, along with "all other organizations which promote disorder in the University." While the society returned, it was to be disbanded once more; university historian

Virginius Dabney Virginius Dabney (February 8, 1901 – December 28, 1995) was an American teacher, journalist, and writer, who edited the '' Richmond Times-Dispatch ''from 1936 to 1969 and wrote several historical books. Dabney won the Pulitzer Prize for edi ...

records the final activity of the society as the 1911 distribution of stuffed animal specimens from the natural history museum about Grounds on Easter Sunday, and the assault of a student in his room. The society reconstituted itself in 1913 as the IMP Society, and remains active. The IMP Society has engaged in philanthropic activities around the University, presenting the IMP Award, given "to a faculty member who had been outstanding in promoting student-faculty relations and perpetuating the traditions of the university", Dabney, 332. and the IMP Student Athlete Award, given at graduation to a female athlete who has excelled in both the field and the classroom; and a recent student social justice-oriented community service fellowship. In addition to philanthropy, IMPs are known to march around the grounds carrying pitchforks, wearing horned hoods, and engaging in mild mischief and revelry. (In one 2004 incident, the group was forced to apologize after using gasoline to start a bonfire on the Lawn during a nighttime ceremony.) The society publicly "taps" its new members, and most current members wear a ring indicating their membership in the organization. While the members of the group are known, many of their community service works are not widely publicized. Like the

Seven Society The Seven Society (founded 1905) is the most secretive of the University of Virginia's secret societies. Members are only revealed after their death, when a wreath of black magnolias in the shape of a "7" is placed at the gravesite, the bell to ...

and Z Society, the IMP Society is known to paint their symbol around university grounds. Members of the IMP Society are more public than other societies at the university, often recognized by their ring with the face of a devil on it, or their public tappings. Notable IMP and Hot Feet alumni include

James Rogers McConnell James Rogers McConnell (14 March 1887 – 19 March 1917) flew as an aviator during World War I in the Lafayette Escadrille and authored ''Flying for France''. He was the first of sixty-four University of Virginia students to die in battle durin ...

, who was the inspiration for

Gutzon Borglum John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum (March 25, 1867 – March 6, 1941) was an American sculptor best known for his work on Mount Rushmore. He is also associated with various other public works of art across the U.S., including Stone Mountain in Geo ...

's statue ''The Aviator''.Bruce, V: 399.

References

{{University of Virginia 1902 establishments in Virginia Collegiate secret societies University of Virginia

See also

References