Jump to content

SPURS National Honor Society

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
SPURS National Honor Society
SPURS badge
FoundedFebruary 14, 1922; 102 years ago (1922-02-14)
Montana State University
TypeService and Honor society
AffiliationIndependent
StatusDefunct
Defunct dateMay 31, 2006
EmphasisSophomore women
ScopeNational
Motto"At Your Service"
PillarsService, Patriotism, Unity, Responsibility, and Sacrifice
Colors  Blue and   Gold
SymbolSpur
FlowerYellow chrysanthemum
PublicationThe Spur
Headquarters
United States

SPURS National Honor Society was an American collegiate sophomore honor society. It was established in 1922 at Montana State University and disbanded in 2005. Several chapters remain in operation as independent, local societies.

History

[edit]

SPURS was founded at Montana State University at Bozeman as an honor society and service club for sophomore women in 1922.[1][2][3] It was sponsored by the local chapter of Mortar Board honor society to support and encourage student service to the university.[1] Its purpose was to encourage women to have loyalty and to serve the university and to promote and support school spirit, campuswide student events, and campus traditions,[1]

Chapters were established at smaller colleges and universities in the United States.[3] Most chapters volunteered to help with freshmen orientation and homecoming, tutored, and ushered for campus events.[1] Originally a women-only organization, its male counterpart was the Intercollegiate Knights.[4] Its alumnae association for juniors was called the Stirips.[5] SPURS became co-educational in 1976.[3]

By 2006, the honor society was down to eleven active chapters, with only half being strong.[2] There was also a lack of interest in members filling national officers.[2] The national SPURS organization dissolved on May 31, 2006 by decision of its October 2005 national convention.[2] After SPURS ceased operations, a few chapters continued as local honor societies. The chapter at Linfield College continued as a local honor society that included sophomores, juniors, and seniors.[6][7] Students at the University of Arizona reinstalled SPURS as a club in 2017.[8]

The Montana State University SPURS chapter decided to merge with the MSU Student Alumni Foundation the following year, along with the dissolved society Fangs which was a branch of the Intercollegiate Knights.[3] The alumni association holds SPURS and Fangs reunions.[9][10] It also coordinated the Spurs & Fangs/Student Alumni Association.[11]

Symbols

[edit]

The name SPURS was the monogram of the society's pillars: Service, Patriotism, Unity, Responsibility, and Sacrifice. Its motto was "At Your Service".[1][2]

The SPURS badge was a small gold spur attached to a chain.[1] Its colors were blue and gold. Members wore dresses of blue and gold when volunteering for the university.[12] Its flower was the yellow chrysanthemum.[5] Its quarterly newsletter was called The Spur.[1]

SPURS celebrated its Founders' Day annually on February 14.[1]

Membership

[edit]

Members were sophomores who were selected for their academic accomplishments, leadership, and student activities.[13] They were required to have a GPA 3.0 or better.[12] Potential members were recruited and initiated at the end of their freshman year.[14]

Chapters

[edit]

Following is a list of known SPURS chapters, with inactive institutions in italics.[1][15]

Number Charter date and range Institution Location Status References
1 February 14, 1922May 31, 2006 Montana State University Bozeman, Montana Withdrew (local) [11][16][a]
Before 1928 Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon Inactive [17]
1925 University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah Inactive
5 1925 University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington Withdrew (ΦΕΣ) [18][2][b]
1928 Utah State University Logan, Utah Inactive [19]
1931 Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado Inactive
1931 – May 31, 2006 University of Redlands Redlands, California Inactive [20]
15 April 8, 1933 Butler University Indianapolis, Indiana Inactive [4]
1937 – May 31, 2006 University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona Inactive [c]
1942 Washington State University Pullman, Washington Inactive
1947 – May 31, 2006 Linfield College McMinnville, Oregon Withdrew (local) [7][6][21][d][e]
c. 1947 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico Inactive [22]
1949 Idaho State University Pocatello, Idaho Inactive [23]
1950 Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington Inactive
October 1951-November 1989 Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington Inactive [24][f]
1955 Arizona State University Tempe, Arizona Inactive
1955 University of the Pacific Stockton, California Inactive
1957 University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, Texas Inactive
1958 New Mexico State University Las Cruces, New Mexico Inactive
1960 California State University, Long Beach Long Beach, California Inactive [3]
1961 Adams State College Alamosa, Colorado Inactive [3]
1964 University of Nevada, Reno Reno, Nevada Inactive [3]
1965 California State University, Fresno Fresno, California Inactive
1965 Emporia State University Emporia, Kansas Inactive [25]
1966 Eastern New Mexico University Portales, New Mexico Inactive [3]
1966 Jamestown College Jamestown, North Dakota Inactive [3]
1966 University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho Inactive [26]
1966 Wichita State University Wichita, Kansas Inactive
1967 Fort Wright College Toppenish, Washington Inactive
October 14, 1967 Marylhurst University Marylhurst, Oregon Inactive [27]
1968 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, Colorado Inactive [g]
1969 Minnesota State University, Mankato Mankato, Minnesota Inactive
1974 Fort Hays State University Hays, Kansas Inactive [12][14]
Brigham Young University Provo, Utah Inactive [3]
California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, California Inactive [3]
California State University, Chico Chico, California Inactive [3]
Carroll University Waukesha, Wisconsin Inactive [3]
Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington Inactive [3]
Colorado Women's College Aurora, Colorado Inactive [3][h]
Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington Inactive
Humboldt State University Arcata, California Inactive [3]
19xx ?–1995 Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas Withdrew (local) [3][28][i]
Montana State University Billings Billings, Montana Inactive [3]
Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota Inactive [3][29]
Montana Tech of the University of Montana Butte, Montana Inactive [3]
New Mexico Highlands University Las Vegas, New Mexico Inactive [3]
Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona Inactive [3]
Northern Montana University Havre, Montana Inactive [3]
Northern State University Aberdeen, South Dakota Inactive [3]
University of Denver Denver, Colorado Inactive [3]
Pacific Lutheran University Parkland, Washington Inactive [27][3]
Pacific University Forest Grove, Oregon Inactive [3]
Rocky Mountain College Billings, Montana Inactive [3]
San Diego State University San Diego, California Inactive [30]
Seattle University Seattle, Washington Inactive [27][3]
University of Alaska Fairbanks College, Alaska Inactive [3]
University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California Inactive
University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, California Inactive
University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado Inactive [3]
University of Great Falls Great Falls, Montana Inactive [31]
University of Mary Bismarck, North Dakota Inactive [3][32]
University of Minnesota Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, Inactive
University of Montana Missoula, Montana Inactive [33][3]
University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, Nebraska Inactive [3][34]
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Paradise, Nevada Inactive [3]
University of Portland Portland, Oregon Inactive
University of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming Inactive [35][3]
Western Montana College Dillon, Montana Inactive [3]
  1. ^ Merged with the university's alumni foundation to form SPURS and Fangs Student/Alumni Association (local).
  2. ^ Rather than dissolving with the closure of its national, the chapter joined Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society.
  3. ^ Chapter reformed as a local honor society in 2017.
  4. ^ The chapter originated as the Daughters of Tradition (local), established before 1935.
  5. ^ After the dissolution of the national organization, the chapter at Linfield College continued operations as a local honor society of the same name. The club expanded to include juniors and seniors, abandoning its sophomore-only rule.
  6. ^ Separated from National Organization in November 1989 and became the Setons
  7. ^ Chapter formed at Colorado State College, now the University of Northern Colorado.
  8. ^ The college merged with the University of Denver in 1982.
  9. ^ Chapter formed from the Sparks (local), established in the 1920s. It withdrew from the SPURS and became the Silver Sparks (local).

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Anson, Jack L. and Marchesani Jr. Robert F., eds. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 20h edition. Indianapolis: Baird's Manual Foundation, 1991. pp. VII.10–VII.11. ISBN 0-9637159-0-9 (List repeated from 19th edition, 1976)
  2. ^ a b c d e f "SPURS hangs it up. But a new honor society will carry on the tradition". Arches Unbound: Zeitgeist. Archived from the original on 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2024-12-12 – via web.archive.org.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak Scott, Kim Allen; Pomeroy, Melissa (2022). "SPURS National Honor Society records". Archives West. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  4. ^ a b "Meeting Places Chosen". The Sunday Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. 1933-04-09. p. 12. Retrieved 2024-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Initiate by Spurs". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. 1944-10-17. p. 8. Retrieved 2024-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Honoraries: SPURS" (PDF). Linfield Student Handbook pg 47. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-05-18. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
  7. ^ a b "SPURS National". Linfield College SPURS. Archived from the original on 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2024-12-12 – via web.archive.org.
  8. ^ "SPURS Sophomore Honorary". University of Arizona. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  9. ^ "Spurs and Fangs 50th Reunion (1973-1974)". Montana State University Alumni Foundation. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  10. ^ "Spurs and Fangs Reunion (1972-1973)". Montana State University Alumni Foundation. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  11. ^ a b "Spurs & Fangs/Student Alumni Association Recruitment". Montana State University. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  12. ^ a b c "SPURS Becomes Official Group at Fort Hays". Great Bend Tribune. 1974-07-15. p. 8. Retrieved 2024-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Ellen Pearson". The Great Falls Leader. 1949-06-11. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b "50 Frosh Women Become SPURS". Great Bend Tribune. 1975-05-05. p. 12. Retrieved 2024-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Robson, John, ed. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 18th edition. Menasha, Wisconsin: George Banta Co., 1968.
  16. ^ SPURS national and local records, 1922-2006, are available in the Montana State University Library, accessed 12 Sept 2021.
  17. ^ Oregon State Agricultural College General Catalogue, 1928-29. Oregon State Agricultural College. 1928. p. 52. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2024 – via Oregon State University Library.
  18. ^ "Academic Honor Societies". University of Puget Sound. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  19. ^ Adele & Dale Young
  20. ^ "Honoraries & Professional Societies | Student Life". University of Redlands. Archived from the original on 2011-03-12. Retrieved 2024-12-12 – via web.archive.org.
  21. ^ "Linfield D.O.T.s". Linfield Archives Photograph Collection. Linfield University.
  22. ^ "Spurs Initiates Sophomore Group". Albuquerque Journal. 1947-11-02. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ Handbook for Current and Future Honors Students 2006-07 (PDF). The University Honors Program at Idaho State University. July 2006. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 15, 2008.
  24. ^ Gonzaga Digital Archive SPURS 1972
  25. ^ "Student Organization Directory". Emporia State University. Archived from the original on 2010-12-12. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  26. ^ "ASUI - Student Awards". Associated Students University of Idaho. June 18, 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-06-19. Retrieved 2024-12-13 – via web.archive.org.
  27. ^ a b c "Spur Convention Met Expectations" Seattle University Spectator (October 16, 1967), p. 1.
  28. ^ "About". Silver Key Sophomore Honorary. Archived from the original on 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2024-12-13 – via web.archive.org.
  29. ^ "MSUM SPURS Gets Award at its International Convo". Continews. Morehead State University. September 2000. Archived from the original on 2005-02-14. Retrieved 2024-12-13 – via web.archive.org.
  30. ^ The Year 1969-1970 at San Diego State (yearbook), San Diego State University, 1970. p.224. Archived rom the Original on September 10, 2015. Accessed 12 Sept 2021.
  31. ^ Elizabeth Furdell Resume Archived 2011-06-14 at the Wayback Machine
  32. ^ Student Organizations
  33. ^ Stephens, Patia. "A Primary Source Of Strength" Montanan. (Spring 2003) University of Montana.
  34. ^ "SPURS-Sophomore Honorary". University of Nebraska Kearney. Archived from the original on 2010-01-28. Retrieved 2010-05-21 – via Internet Archive.
  35. ^ "Local Students Honored at UW's Torchlight Laurels". University of Wyoming. Archived from the original on 2008-02-12. Retrieved 2024-12-12 – via web.archive.org.
[edit]