About Cardinal Key

Cardinal Key is an organization open to all students with a cumulative 3.0 GPA and having accumulated between 61 and 90 credit hours who have demonstrated scholastic achievement and leadership in the college community and who are deemed to be leaders. Cardinal Key aims to honors these ideals, inspire leadership in others, and utilize leadership capabilities in an active program of service to school, community, and country. The purposes of Cardinal Key are to recognize achievement in scholarship and extracurricular activities; to advance personal growth, patriotism, and service by affording training for leadership in the college community; and to develop worthy character by application of the cardinal virtues of living - Faith, Trust, Fortitude, and Wisdom.

Purpose of the Society
Cardinal Key National Honor Society, Inc. is an organization for students of at least junior status in American colleges and universities who are leaders in the college community and who are deemed potential leaders in the future. The Society aims to honor these, inspire leadership in others, and utilize leadership capabilities in an active program of service to school, community and country. The purposes of Cardinal Key are to recognize achievement in scholarship and extracurricular activities; to advance personal growth, patriotism and service by affording training for leadership in the college community; and to develop worthy character by application of the cardinal virtues of living.

Motto
The motto of Cardinal Key is "Faith, Trust, Fortitude and Wisdom; I shall observe them faithfully, that my service may be genuine, my life complete."

History and Organization of the Society
Cardinal Key National Honor Sorority was organized on May 6, 1932, as a result of requests for a nation-wide honor sorority for college or university women of at least junior standing. The founder and sponsor for a number of years was the late B.C. Riley who founded the men's honorary fraternity, Blue Key. In 1939, a National Director was elected under a new constitution and bylaws adopted by all chapters. The first National Director was elected under a new constitution and bylaws adopted by all chapters. The first National Director was Mrs. Ruth L. Riley, the wife of founder Dr. B.C. Riley; she served until her retirement in 1962 due to ill health. Dr. Byrd Burton of Northern Arizona University was then elected as the second National Director and served until her retirement in 1972.Dr. Roy Morgan of Eastern New Mexico University was appointed in 1972 to fill Dr. Burton's unexpired term. He was then elected as the Sorority's third National Director at the 1973 Board of Directors' Meeting and served until his retirement in 1981. Jacqueline Williams, a member of the National Advisory Board, was elected by the Board at the 1981 Convention to serve as the sorority's fourth National Director. Ms. Williams served until 1985 when Edith Borg, Assistant National Director, was elected to serve as National Director. Mrs. Borg served until her retirement in 1989 at which time Mary Tiffin was elected. Ms. Tiffin served Cardinal Key for a four-year term, ending in 1993. National Advisor, Rayna Diers, was then elected and is currently serving as our seventh National Director. Cardinal Key was incorporated by Arizona State laws in Phoenix on November 8, 1967, as a nonprofit organization. On July 1, 1976, the Sorority complied with the Title 9 legislation and opened its membership to both men and women. For historical purposes, the name 'Sorority' was retained until October 25, 1991, when it was changed to Cardinal Key National Honor Society, Inc.

Description of the Official Insignia
The Official Cardinal Key is an oblong valdemar key charm similar to the watch fob winding key used traditionally by many honor organizations as their insignia. On the smooth surface appears a raised gold oval border symbolizing the universal purpose of all chapters in the organization. Within the border, the eagle represents patriotism and loyalty to our country. In the eagle's grasp, a laurel branch symbolizes personal growth and achievement. The arrows represent projection for future growth. The star beneath the eagle, representing each local chapter, reminds us of the importance of each member of Cardinal Key. The Maltese cross supporting these symbols pertains to underlying religious beliefs. Four heavy bars running from the cross to the border's edge symbolize the four cardinal virtues set forth in the Cardinal Key Pledge - Faith, Trust, Fortitude, and Wisdom - which are derived from the ancient Greek Cardinal virtues - Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude. The numerous rays of gold which run from the outer edge of the circle inward to the cross symbolize the numerous chapters of the society. All chapters support the symbols which represent the belief in God, the pledge of loyalty, the promotion of the best interests of the college and community, and service to others. The golden oval binds all the chapters together. Outside the oval in which the five symbols appear, the corners of the Cardinal Key are in brilliant French red enamel symbolic of "chief" or "fundamental" ideals.

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Cardinal Key Talons Chapter - Auburn University
	About Cardinal Key Cardinal Key is an organization open to all students with a cumulative 3.0 GPA and having accumulated between 61 and 90 credit hours who have demonstrated scholastic achievement and leadership in the college community and who are deemed to be leaders. Cardinal Key aims to honors these ideals, inspire leadership in others, and utilize leadership capabilities in an active program of service to school, community, and country. The purposes of Cardinal Key are to recognize achievement in scholarship and extracurricular activities; to advance personal growth, patriotism, and service by affording training for leadership in the college community; and to develop worthy character by application of the cardinal virtues of living - Faith, Trust, Fortitude, and Wisdom. Purpose of the Society Cardinal Key National Honor Society, Inc. is an organization for students of at least junior status in American colleges and universities who are leaders in the college community and who are deemed potential leaders in the future. The Society aims to honor these, inspire leadership in others, and utilize leadership capabilities in an active program of service to school, community and country. The purposes of Cardinal Key are to recognize achievement in scholarship and extracurricular activities; to advance personal growth, patriotism and service by affording training for leadership in the college community; and to develop worthy character by application of the cardinal virtues of living. Motto The motto of Cardinal Key is "Faith, Trust, Fortitude and Wisdom; I shall observe them faithfully, that my service may be genuine, my life complete." History and Organization of the Society Cardinal Key National Honor Sorority was organized on May 6, 1932, as a result of requests for a nation-wide honor sorority for college or university women of at least junior standing. The founder and sponsor for a number of years was the late B.C. Riley who founded the men's honorary fraternity, Blue Key. In 1939, a National Director was elected under a new constitution and bylaws adopted by all chapters. The first National Director was elected under a new constitution and bylaws adopted by all chapters. The first National Director was Mrs. Ruth L. Riley, the wife of founder Dr. B.C. Riley; she served until her retirement in 1962 due to ill health. Dr. Byrd Burton of Northern Arizona University was then elected as the second National Director and served until her retirement in 1972.Dr. Roy Morgan of Eastern New Mexico University was appointed in 1972 to fill Dr. Burton's unexpired term. He was then elected as the Sorority's third National Director at the 1973 Board of Directors' Meeting and served until his retirement in 1981. Jacqueline Williams, a member of the National Advisory Board, was elected by the Board at the 1981 Convention to serve as the sorority's fourth National Director. Ms. Williams served until 1985 when Edith Borg, Assistant National Director, was elected to serve as National Director. Mrs. Borg served until her retirement in 1989 at which time Mary Tiffin was elected. Ms. Tiffin served Cardinal Key for a four-year term, ending in 1993. National Advisor, Rayna Diers, was then elected and is currently serving as our seventh National Director. Cardinal Key was incorporated by Arizona State laws in Phoenix on November 8, 1967, as a nonprofit organization. On July 1, 1976, the Sorority complied with the Title 9 legislation and opened its membership to both men and women. For historical purposes, the name 'Sorority' was retained until October 25, 1991, when it was changed to Cardinal Key National Honor Society, Inc. Description of the Official Insignia The Official Cardinal Key is an oblong valdemar key charm similar to the watch fob winding key used traditionally by many honor organizations as their insignia. On the smooth surface appears a raised gold oval border symbolizing the universal purpose of all chapters in the organization. Within the border, the eagle represents patriotism and loyalty to our country. In the eagle's grasp, a laurel branch symbolizes personal growth and achievement. The arrows represent projection for future growth. The star beneath the eagle, representing each local chapter, reminds us of the importance of each member of Cardinal Key. The Maltese cross supporting these symbols pertains to underlying religious beliefs. Four heavy bars running from the cross to the border's edge symbolize the four cardinal virtues set forth in the Cardinal Key Pledge - Faith, Trust, Fortitude, and Wisdom - which are derived from the ancient Greek Cardinal virtues - Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude. The numerous rays of gold which run from the outer edge of the circle inward to the cross symbolize the numerous chapters of the society. All chapters support the symbols which represent the belief in God, the pledge of loyalty, the promotion of the best interests of the college and community, and service to others. The golden oval binds all the chapters together. Outside the oval in which the five symbols appear, the corners of the Cardinal Key are in brilliant French red enamel symbolic of "chief" or "fundamental" ideals. Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? Contact the Webmaster.