Dear First-Year Student:
The Innocents Society, James S. Pittenger, and Irvin Sherman Memorial Innocents Society Scholarships are awarded each year to currently enrolled, full-time, first-year students displaying academic excellence, leadership qualities, and involvement in co-curricular activities.
The Innocents Society was founded at the University of Nebraska on April 24, 1903, through the efforts of several notable alumni, including George Condra and Roscoe Pound. Thirteen Juniors were chosen for the Chancellor’s Senior Honorary based on academic excellence, campus leadership, and selfless service. These first Innocents took charge of such activities as supervising pep rallies, selecting yell squad members, and organizing Homecoming festivities. Their goal was to promote school spirit and to create an appreciation for the greater things for which Nebraska stands. These ideals still describe the Innocents Society today.
Unlike most senior honoraries, the Innocents Society is uniquely Nebraskan, forming a link between the faculty and the student body while guarding significant University of Nebraska traditions.
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..
The Innocents Society takes pride in being an active organization. This past year, the Society has co-hosted many events with Chancellor 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.
If you have any questions regarding the application or the organization, please do not hesitate to contact our selections committee at 13innocentssociety@gmail.com.