Dear Applicant,
The Innocents Society is the Chancellor’s senior honorary at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Founded on April 24, 1903, and uniquely Nebraskan, the Society has been leading the campus in all aspects and promoting school spirit for more than 100 years. In the spring, thirteen new members are chosen from the junior class to carry on the Innocents Society’s traditions and goals. Membership is based upon superior academic achievement, unparalleled leadership, and selfless service to the University and community.
The Innocents Society takes pride in being an active organization. This past year, the Society has co-hosted many events with Chancellor Katherine S. Ankerson, completed monthly service projects in the Lincoln community, participated in Homecoming Week activities, hosted a Blood Drive Challenge, and organized a volunteer trip across the state of Nebraska.
Former Innocents Society members include the following: former U.S. Representative Howard Buffett, former President and Chair of the Cooper Foundation E.N. “Jack” Thompson, former Nebraska Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, former University of Nebraska President James “J.B.” Milliken, former Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, former NFL player Kyle Vanden Bosch, Hudl co-founder John Wirtz, and former Nebraska State Senator Adam Morfeld. Honorary Innocents Society members include the following: former U.S. Senator and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, former Nebraska football coach, athletic director, and U.S. Representative Tom Osborne, former Nebraska football coach and athletic director Bob Devaney, former University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green, former University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman, University of Nebraska President Emeritus Martin Massengale, and Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett.
123rd Class Application Information
Application Deadline is Friday, January 15, 2027, at 1:13 p.m. (Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.)
Acceptance into the Society is open to current UNL students with junior academic standing who will maintain full-time undergraduate enrollment throughout the 2027–2028 academic year.
All essay prompts, résumé formatting instructions, and document uploads are located directly inside the online application below. Because the selection process is strictly anonymous, you will be asked to upload your résumés and essay responses as unnamed PDFs.
In addition to completing the application form, applicants are required to have one Letter of Recommendation submitted on their behalf by January 15th at 1:13 p.m.
If applying to multiple senior honoraries, submit the Honor Societies Preference Form by January 15th at 4:00 p.m. (instructions are located directly inside the online application below).
If you have any questions about the application or the organization, please contact our selections chairs Megan Wilkins and Lucas Coelho at 13innocentssociety@gmail.com.