Although they share the same moniker, Green Key Society's relationship to Green Key weekend is a tenuous one.
The Society was formed in 1921 at the behest of Orton Hicks '21, after he visited the University of Washington as a member of the football team. Hicks was so impressed by the warm welcome he received from Washington's Knights of the Hook, he worked with Palaeopitus senior society to create a similar organization at Dartmouth.
By the next spring, two sophomore societies, S2 and Sigma Pick, were disbanded to create the new organization. Former members of those groups made up the first class of the Green Key Society, along with honorary members such as then-College President Ernest M. Hopkins, Class of 1901.
According to the May 16, 1921 issue of The Dartmouth, the three goals of the nascent organization were "the reception of visiting teams," "the selection of men for the positions of cheerleaders" and to oversee "the Sophomore Vigilance Committee."
From the 1920s through the 1960s, Green Key Society played an active role in Green Key weekend through the organization of activities such as a Spring Variety Show and a Spring Prom. In 1939, the Green Key handbook called the prom "a fitting climax to a year of College service," and said it, "adds to an ever-increasing number of happy memories."
When the Prom was cancelled, Green Key Society's involvement in the weekend changed.
This year Green Key Society's programming events include a screening of the film "Animal House," guided tours of the Baker Tower and an exhibit in Collis. In addition to these activities, Green Key Society President Russ Lane '06 describes a different role of the organization in the weekend.
"Green Key Society is the overseer in terms of putting everything in one place and disseminating that information to students. A lot of the events are decentralized, so we are just making sure they are compiled and put on a schedule to be sent out," Lane said.
Today, the society has returned to its roots as a service organization and takes on a variety of roles within the College community. Green Key Society supports events such as First-Year orientation, Homecoming and Commencement. Furthermore, Lane said that Green Key Society members serve as ambassadors to the community at large.
"It's about interacting with people and helping facilitate campus events and doing on and off-campus service," Lane said.
Students in the rising-junior class are chosen to join the Green Key Society each year. Twenty are elected by their peers during Election Planning and Advisory Committee elections. Roughly 40 students are nominated by campus organizations such as musical groups, religious groups, athletic teams and the Tucker Foundation.
