Ten new members were inducted into Baker University’s chapter of Cardinal Key National Honor Society April 20.

Members were accepted based on grades and prior community service involvement.

It’s a honorable academic service organization,” said senior Rachel Tindall, president of the organization.

Secretary of the organization, senior Emily Allred, said she enjoys being part of a relatively exclusive organization here at Baker.

“I think it’s a neat organization because it is somewhat hard to get in,” Allred said. “They really hold a high standard for academics and service activities.”

Cardinal Key raises funds throughout the year for their philanthropy the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. Events it hosts include a fall bake sale and raffle at a football game and the King and Queen of Courts competition held every spring.

Newly initiated member sophomore Ashley Schmidt said she wanted to be a part of the organization because of its involvement in community service projects.

“I joined, first of all, to become more involved in community service, especially the Juvenile Diabetes Fund, because that is something I would love to donate to,” she said.

Associate professor of French Erin Joyce, serves as the adviser for the organization.

“The newly initiated members are sophomores Brooke Brutto, Brittany Coleman, Jenna Collins, Kim Kilmartin, Joy Mapes, Kelly Ochs, Sarah Romereim, Ashley Schmidt, and juniors Christa Webster and Brandon Weckbaugh,” Joyce said.

Schmidt was enthusiastic about being inducted.

“I was very honored and thankful,” she said.

The national organization’s Web site, www.cardinalkey.org, says Cardinal Key, which was originally organized in 1932, is an organization for students at the junior level or above who are leaders in the college community and are deemed potential leaders in the future. The organization was originally founded as an honor sorority for college and university women along with the men’s honorary fraternity Blue Key. Cardinal Key became a coed organization in 1976.

There are a number of positions assigned to students.

Joyce said along with Tindall as president and Allred as secretary of the organization, senior Anna Byler serves as vice president, senior Emilee Merry as treasurer and junior Bliss Hartnett as historian.