History

During the 1908-1909 academic year, there was only one agricultural honorary society active on the Cornell campus. This society was named Hebs-Sa, the Egyptian word meaning plowman. Hebs-Sa recognized students for their extra-curricular activities but took no account of scholastic achievement. In 1912, a student who was denied membership to Hebs-Sa founded Helios, a second honorary society named after the greek god of the sun. This society gave recognition to scholarship, but also required active participation in extra-curricular activities.

Both Hebs-Sa and Helios were very active on campus and claimed a large group of students as members each year until World War I. They were continually competing with each other for membership. So keen was this competition that each eligible prospect was presented with a bid from each society at the same time and the potential member had to choose one society to the exclusion of the other.

During the first World War, activity in both honoraries declined, but increased again after the War until 1926-27. In the latter part of this era, enrollment in the college had dwindled to about 600 matriculates and in the 1929-1930 academic year Ho-Nun-De-Kah was born. The organization was formed under the direction of Professor Rice of Poultry Husbandry, College Secretary and Professor O.W. Smith and Samuel Levering '30 who was then an undergraduate. Foiled by their fierce competition, Hebs-Sa and Helios were soon superseded by the new honor society.

When Ho-Nun-De-Kah was founded, it was Dr. Earl Bates, Indian Extension Agent and advisor to the organization in its early years, who introduced the idea of using a Native American rather than Greek name for the newly formed agricultural honor society. This suggestion was so well taken that an initiation ritual of Native American character was used until recently.

Ho-Nun-De-Kah means, "Keepers of the Sacred Corn Council Fire." The name was chosen because at that time the leading clans of the six nations which held council in the territory around Ithaca were the Bears and the Farmers. The Secret Council of Farmers, it is said, discussed the secret of corn growing and passed to new generations of chiefs the wisdom gained from their agricultural experience.

In the 1940's, war again drove honoraries into decline and there Ho-Nun-De-Kah remained until after World War II. After the War, Professor Chet Freeman, alumnus Lloyd Davis and two or three veterans along with Professor J. P. Hertel, then secretary of the college, revived the crippled honor society. The old constitution was redrafted came to be the document that governs the society today.

Since the reformation of Ho-Nun-De-Kah, annual events and awards have been established by members in order to ensure the society's persistence and continued sense of purpose. A few of these important activities and awards include:

Professor of Merit Award Each year Ho-Nun-De-Kah organizes the election of the Professor of Merit. This award is given each year to the professor elected by the senior class who best demonstrates excellence in teaching and advising.

Paul Schreurs Memorial Award This award is granted to a senior engaged in undergraduate research by a committee of Ho-Nun-De-Kah members. Its purpose is two-fold: first, to recognize the efforts and accomplishments of students involved in undergraduate research and second, to remember Paul J. Schreurs, a former Ho- Nun-De-Kah member, who inspired others to incorporate his altruism into their own lives.

Advising and Tutoring Services Ho-Nun-De-Kah members continue to offer students tutoring in almost every CALS course, as well as many courses in other colleges, completely free of charge.

Guide to CALS This was designed by Ho-Nun-De-Kah members to assist fellow students in schedule planning. The Guide to CALS critiques many popular CALS courses and provides advice and insight to many popular programs and activities on campus.

Senior Reception Ho-Nun-De-Kah members plan a senior reception for all graduating senior members of Ho-Nun-De-Kah. The event is held just prior to commencement.

Over the years Ho-Nun-De-Kah has undergone great change as dictated by circumstance, but the organization has always remained true to its mission as defined in the Constitution: "To foster closer contact between its members, the faculty and the rest of the student body and to endeavor to assist the faculty and the membership in carrying out worthy enterprises."