The Hood College Ionic Society was founded in 1976 to honor sophomores who demonstrate service to the college and embody the principles of Hope, Opportunity, Obligation, and Democracy. Up to 21 sophomores are picked each spring, the number coming from the sum of the digits of the college’s founding year, 1893. Active participation is for one year, usually the third year.
The Ionic Society has two symbols: the Ionic Pillar, which represents the pillars of Alumnae Hall, is depicted in the Ionic pin used to identify member, and the iris is the official flower. The society periodically presents the Award of the Iris to staff, students, or faculty members who have coordinated or organized a campus event promoting community service, or those who have demonstrated a high overall level of service to the college. In 2015, in recognition of his leadership and service to the College, the Ionic Society renamed the award to the Ronald J. Volpe Award of the Iris.
Some of the events the Ionic Society sponsors are Red Cross blood drives and the Big Sweep. The society provides essential assistance for Hood events such as the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Messiah, and Commencement. Students who were part of the Ionic Society credit it with instilling a strong affinity for community service work after graduation.
