About Iron Cross

The Iron Cross Society was founded in 1902 to honor seniors who had dedicated themselves to serving the University community and managed to achieve personal excellence. Over the last 100 years, the face and the makeup of Iron Cross has changed - we now accept both juniors and women - but the purpose has not. Election to the Iron Cross Society has been considered the highest honor an undergraduate could achieve at this university. Those inducted are all accomplished and talented individuals, and they sign their names into a book full of individuals now known for their great achievements.

The most visible accomplishment of Iron Cross is the founding of the Union. In 1907, the University president asked Iron Cross members to convert the failing Madison YMCA into something that students would use. Iron Cross turned it into the second student union to exist in the United States and the first student union to serve beer.

The traditions of Iron Cross have but two requirements for the coming year. First, the oldest member is responsible for the safekeeping of the book and for calling the first meeting. Second, the tallest member is responsible for bearing the iron cross, our symbol of strength without ostentation.

In closing, some remarks made by Porter Butts at Iron Cross's 75th anniversary ceremony - "The genius of Iron Cross, it seems to me, has been that it provides a medium through which student leaders who are service-motivated can readily consult with each other, and at times with the university administration, on any University or student problem that concerns them, and then proceed to do something about it, in concert working through their respective organizations, or individually, but always with the knowledge that there are others who understand and are lending active or moral support - the thing that helps give one confidence to go ahead."