The Blue Key Honor Society, a national honor fraternity of students, faculty and administrators who have shown excellence in academics, leadership and community involvement, was founded at the College in May 1976.
Jillian Custodio, senior psychology major and the president of Blue Key, said the society "does a great thing in recognizing people for their accomplishments."
Custodio was inducted into the honor society last spring.
To become a member of Blue Key a student must first be nominated.
"E-mails are sent to current Blue Key students, faculty members and student organization presidents regarding nominations," Custodio said.
If a student is a junior or senior, has at least a 3.5 GPA and has completed 45 or more credits he is eligible for a nomination.
Custodio said that she feels the most "stringent thing" about eligibility is the GPA requirement.
After a student receives the letter saying he was nominated, he then must fill out an application form, which is available on line and is due on Feb. 28.
According to Custodio, the applications are then reviewed by a selection committee made up of Blue Key members.
Last year, 16 members were inducted.
"Usually 15 to 30 people are inducted," Custodio said. "It all depends on how many applications we get."
Gem Perkins, project coordinator for the office of the dean of Student Life, is also the adviser of Blue Key.
According to Perkins, the committee looks for volunteerism, leadership and campus involvement.
"Ambition of intellectual achievement is also very important," Perkins said.
After students are notified as to whether or not they are accepted, an induction is held for new members.
According to Perkins, this year's ceremony will take place on April 13.
Despite the fact that it is Perkins's first year as the adviser of Blue Key, changes to make the organization more active are already being discussed. According to Custodio, in the past, "members would meet at the induction and barely ever see each other again."
Perkins attributes the inactive nature of the society to the fact that the members were already so involved in organizations and their communities.
"It's hard to get the members together," Perkins said.
Mike Fisher, senior biology major and vice president of the organization, agreed.
"The organization has always been very low key," Fisher said, noting the irony of his statement.
Perkins, Custodio and Fisher have already discussed ways to make the club more well known around campus.
"A combined social event as community activity is one possibility," Perkins said.
According to Fisher, making the society more active will depend on the interests of the members that will be inducted as well as the current members.
"We have to see how much time people really have to devote," Fisher said.
As for future members, Fisher encourages anyone nominated to apply.
"To be accepted into the society is not only a nice accomplishment, but also something that is good for your resume," Fisher said.
Perkins agreed. "It is a great honor to be in this organization," she said.
