UAMss2BlueKey

BLUE KEY NATIONAL HONOR FRATERNITY

Mss. 2

(1927- ) Records, 1927-2004
4.5 1.f.

Historical Sketch
The North Dakota State University chapter of Blue Key Fraternity was organized on May 4, 1927 at a dinner meeting in the Power’s Hotel. Nationally, Blue Key began in 1925 at the University of Florida, with the NDSU chapter being the 28th established in the country. Its purpose is to work with students and faculty to further the interest of the university. Qualifications for persons selected for membership are rigorous: scholastic involvement, leadership abilities, and involvement in campus activities. It was a men’s organization until 1976 when it became open to women. In 1979, Kathy Dean became president of the NDSU chapter, a first among the 124 Blue Key chapters in the country. Through its dedication of service to the university, Blue Key has promoted numerous activities on campus. In 1929 they began an annual variety show known as Bison Brevities, which continued through 1960. From 1961 through 1972 the organization produced a musical each spring. In 1977 Bison Brevities was revived and continue to be a yearly event. Another major activity of Blue Key, which began in 1930, is the Doctor of Service Award, given to an outstanding member of the NDSU staff. Other activities through the years have included athletic banquets, Honors Day convocations, Senior Day, scholarships, publication of the Freshman Register, a book exchange, the Nickel Trophy (with University of North Dakota’s chapter), special concerts, the annual Doctor of Service Award, and the Annual Distinguished Educators Award.

Scope and Content
The records of Blue Key consist of materials relating to the fraternity’s involvement on campus. The documents are dated from 1927-2004. There are three series, the records series, which are arranged in a subject order; the scrapbook series; and the video tape series.

The collection deals primarily with the productions put on by the fraternity. It includes programs from the annual Bison Brevities show as well as the Spring Musical. There are reports, entry forms, newspaper clippings and notes related to these two productions. Other programs from the Doctor of Service Award Banquet, Distinguished Educator Banquet, the Homecoming Show, and music concerts are also included.

Other records include Meeting Minutes from the years 1927-1975 and Blue Key correspondence from 1951-1977. There are also additional records dealing with the fraternity’s yearly work such as Presidents Reports, Membership acceptance letters, Pledge cards, the Blue Key constitution, and membership lists.

Also included are copies of the Freshman Register (1975-1986) which feature incoming freshmen. These books were put together and sold by Blue Key. Other records in the collection’s subject files cover the topics of Senior Day, Newsletters, Guides, the Nickel Trophy, and Chapter Activities. There are also four compact disks, three are PowerPoints for the 1999, 2000, and 2001 Homecoming Show and one is the 2002-2003 scrapbook of general Blue Key activities.

The scrapbook series features two Bison Brevities scrapbooks for 1948 and 1982. They document the productions with photographs. They both feature the main production groups in the show during their act. There is also written documentation indicating who the members of each group are and the title of their act. In addition, there are seven scrapbooks dealing with events, installations, retreats and other related Blue Key activities from 1988-2002.

The video tape series (VHS format) features Bison Brevities (1985-2000 with gaps) and the Homecoming Show (1989-1999 with gaps).

Separations - Photographs, slides, and artifacts have been separated from the records and removed to the NDAC/SU Photograph Collection, the NDSU Slide Collection, and the NDAC/SU Artifact Collection. See separation record at the end of the finding aid.

Presented by Blue Key Fraternity, 19 January 1983. (Acc. 1)
Processed 20 February 1983, JEB
Processed 25 April 2001, AMJ
Updated, additions added, revised, Spring 2005, AF & MJR

Box 1
1. Historical Material and Inventory
2. Guides and Codes (National and Local)
3. Proposed Constitution, n.d.
4. Constitution, 1987
5. Meeting Minutes, 1927-1942
6. Meeting Minutes, 1942-1943
7. Meeting Minutes, 1946-1955
8. Meeting Minutes, 1955-1964
9. Meeting Minutes, 1964-1975
10. Meeting Minutes, 1975
11. Meeting Minutes and Attendance Lists, September 1989 – August 1994
12. Meeting Minutes, August 1998 – November 2000
13. Meeting Minutes, November 2000 – November 2002
14. Chapter Activities, 1953-1954
15. President’s Reports, 1962-1972
16. Correspondence, 1951-1956
17. Correspondence, 1962-1977
18. Membership Acceptance Letters
19. Membership List, 1977
20. Finances, 1998-1999
21. Finances, 1999-2000

Box 2
1. Pledge Cards, 1980-1988
2. Athletic Banquets, 1952, 1955-1957
3. Bison Brevities- Newspaper Clippings, 1920s-1930s, 1970s-1990s
4. Bison Brevities- Entry Forms – 1977, 1978, 1982, 1984, 1990
5. Bison Brevities- Correspondence – 1970s
6. Bison Brevities- Publicity – 1978, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995
7. Bison Brevities- Publicity/Ticket Committee, 1993-1999
8. Bison Brevities-Improvement Suggestions – n.d.
9. Bison Brevities-Program, 1929
10. Bison Brevities-Program, 1930
11. Bison Brevities- Brevities Briefs, 1931
12. Bison Brevities-Program, 1932
13. Bison Brevities-Program, 1933
14. Bison Brevities-Program, 1934
15. Bison Brevities-Program, 1935
16. Bison Brevities-Program, 1937
17. Bison Brevities-Program, 1938
18. Bison Brevities-Program, 1939
19. Bison Brevities-Program, 1940
20. Bison Brevities-Program, 1941
21. Bison Brevities-Program, 1942
22. Bison Brevities-Program, 1947
23. Bison Brevities-Program, 1948
24. Bison Brevities-Program, 1949
25. Bison Brevities-Program, 1950
26. Bison Brevities-Program, 1951
27. Bison Brevities- Business Manager’s Report, May 1951
28. Bison Brevities-Program, 1952
29. Bison Brevities- Business Manager’s Report, June 1952
30. Bison Brevities-Program, 1953
31. Bison Brevities- Business Manager’s Report, May 1953
32. Bison Brevities-Program, 1954
33. Bison Brevities-Program, 1955
34. Bison Brevities-Program, 1956
35. Bison Brevities- Reports – Assistant Director, April 1956; Business Manager, May/June 1956
36. Bison Brevities-Program, 1957
37. Bison Brevities- Reports – Art Director’s, 1957; Program Chairman, 1957; Business Manager, June 1957
38. Bison Brevities-Program, 1958
39. Bison Brevities- Reports – Publicity, 1958; Art Director’s, 1958; Judging Chairman’s, 1958; Program Chairman, 1958; Art Director, 1958;
40. Bison Brevities- Assistant Director Report, 1959
41. Bison Brevities- Reports, 1960
42. Bison Brevities-Program, 1977
43. Bison Brevities-Program, 1978
44. Bison Brevities-Program, 1980
45. Bison Brevities-Program, 1981
46. Bison Brevities-Program, 1982
47. Bison Brevities-Program, 1983
48. Bison Brevities-Program, 1984
49. Bison Brevities- Report, 1984
50. Bison Brevities-Program, 1985
51. Bison Brevities-Program, 1986
52. Bison Brevities-Program, 1987
53. Bison Brevities-Program, 1988
54. Bison Brevities-Program, 1989
55. Bison Brevities-Program, 1990
56. Bison Brevities-Program, 1991
57. Bison Brevities-Program, 1992
58. Bison Brevities-Program, 1993
59. Bison Brevities-Program, 1994
60. Bison Brevities-Program, 1996
61. Bison Brevities-Program, 1998
62. Bison Brevities-Program, 1999
63. Bison Brevities-Program, 2000
64. Bison Brevities-Program, 2001
65. Bison Brevities-Program, 2002
66. Bison Brevities-Program, 2003

Box 3
1. Productions- Correspondence, 1969-1973
2. Productions- General – c. 1969
3. Productions- Tam. S. Witmark Music Library – 1970s
4. Productions- Props Chairman, Reports - 1962-1970
5. Productions- Secretary’s Reports - 1962-1968
6. Productions- “South Pacific,” 1961
7. Productions- “Damn Yankees,” 1962
8. Productions- “Pajama Game,” 1963
9. Productions- “Flower Drum Song,” 1964
10. Productions- “Annie Get Your Gun,” 1965
11. Productions- “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” 1966
12. Productions- “Oklahoma,” 1967
13. Productions- “Carousel,” 1968
14. Productions- “Sweet Charity,” 1969
15. Productions- “Cabaret,” 1970
16. Productions- “Brigadoon,” 1971
17. Productions- “Mame,” 1972
18. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1965
19. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1966
20. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1967
21. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1968
22. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1969
23. Doctor of Service- Banquet Invitation, 1970
24. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1970
25. Doctor of Service- Banquet Invitation, 1971
26. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1971
27. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1972
28. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1973
29. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1974
30. Doctor of Service- Banquet Invitation, 1975
31. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1976
32. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1977
33. Doctor of Service- Banquet Invitation, 1978
34. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1978
35. Doctor of Service- Correspondence/Publicity, 1978
36. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1979
37. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1980
38. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1981
39. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1982
40. Doctor of Service- Banquet Invitation, 1983
41. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1983
42. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1984
43. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1985
44. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1986
45. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1987
46. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1988
47. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1989
48. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1990
49. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1991
50. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1993
51. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1994
52. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 1997
53. Doctor of Service- Banquet Invitation, 2001
54. Doctor of Service- Banquet Program, 2003
55. Distinguished Educator- Banquet Program, 1996
56. Distinguished Educator- Banquet Program, 1999
57. Distinguished Educator- Banquet Program, 2001
58. Distinguished Educator- Flyers, 1990-1992
59. Freshman Register, 1975-1976
60. Freshman Register, 1977
61. Freshman Register, 1978
62. Freshman Register, 1979
63. Freshman Register, 1980
64. Freshman Register, 1981
65. Freshman Register, 1982-83
66. Freshman Register, 1983
67. Freshman Register, 1984
68. Freshman Register, 1985
69. Freshman Register, 1986
70. Honors Day Convocation, 1946
71. Honors Day Convocation, 1950
72. Honors Day Convocation, 1952
73. Honors Day Convocation, 1955
74. New Student Induction Convocation

Box 4
1. Homecoming Show – flyers, posters, clippings, notes, tickets - 1979
2. Homecoming Show- Program, 1987
3. Homecoming Show- Program, 1994
4. Homecoming Show- Program, 1995
5. Homecoming Show- Program, 1996
6. Homecoming Show- Program, 1998 (Mock Up)
7. Homecoming Show- Program, 1998
8. Homecoming Show- Program, 1999 (Mock Up)
9. Homecoming Show- Program, 1999
10. Homecoming Show- Program, 2000
11. Homecoming Show- Program, 2001
12. Homecoming Show- Program, 2004
13. Homecoming Show- Productions Reports, 1979-1990, 1994-1995
14. Homecoming Show- Ticket Committee/Advertising Committee, 1987-1989, 1991-1995
15. Homecoming Show- Ticket Committee/Advertising Committee, 1996-2000
16. Alumni Banquet - Guestbook, 1993
17. Alumni Booklet – Brief Bios, 1993
18. Alumni Update Survey, 1999
19. Alumni Lists
20. John Denver Concerts, 1974
21. ZZ Top Concert, 1977
22. Senior Day, 1954
23. Senior Day, 1955
24. Senior Day, 1956
25. Convention Reports, 1968, 1973
26. Newsletter, 1932
27. Newsletter, 1933
28. Journal, October 1948
29. Newsletters, Spring 1977, November 1977
30. Newsletter, 1978
31. Newsletter, 1988
32. Newsletter, 2000
33. Newspaper Clippings
34. Nickel Trophy
35. Blue Key Endowment Fund – Memo of Understanding – April 1987
36. Student Banking Center Proposal - 1959
37. Events, 1992-1993

38. Homecoming – Slide Show CD, 1999
39. Homecoming - Slide Show CD, 2000
40. Homecoming - Slide Show CD, 2001
41. Scrapbook – Slide Show CD – 2002-2003

Box 5
1. Bison Brevities Scrapbook, 1948
2. Bison Brevities Scrapbook, 1982
3. Scrapbook, 1988-1992

Box 6
1. Brown Key Scrapbook, Spring 1992- Spring 1996
2. Scrapbook, 1993-1996

Box 7
1. Scrapbook, March 1994 – May 1996
2. Scrapbook, December 1994 – April 1997

Box 8

1. Scrapbook, Spring 1997 - 1999
2. Scrapbook, Fall 2001 – May 2002

Box 9 (Videos)

1. Bison Brevities, 1985, 1986
2. Bison Brevities, 1985, 1986 (Originals)
3. Bison Brevities, 1985, 1987
4. Bison Brevities, 1987 (Originals)
5. Bison Brevities, 1988
6. Bison Brevities, 1988 (Master)
7. Bison Brevities, 1989 (#5)
8. Bison Brevities, 1989
9. Bison Brevities, 1990
10. Bison Brevities, 1991
11. Bison Brevities, 1992
12. Bison Brevities, 1992
13. Bison Brevities, 1993
14. Bison Brevities, 1993 (Thurs. Night, April 22)
15. Bison Brevities, 1998
16. Bison Brevities, 1999
17. Bison Brevities, 2000
18. Bison Brevities, 2000 (Fri. Night, April 7)
19. Homecoming Show, 1989
20. Homecoming Show, 1990
21. Homecoming Show, 1990, 1991
22. Homecoming Show, 1991 (Original)
23. Homecoming Show, 1997
24. Homecoming Show, 1999
25. Car 5
26. Chub’s 1
27. Fargodome 3
28. Library
29. Practice Tape- Music Department, 1991
30. Reineke 2

Separations Record:
Photographs removed to NDSU Photograph Collection:
Bison Brevities, 1948 - 1949 ABi 76 - 1948
Bison Brevities, 1950 ABi 76 - 1950
Bison Brevities, 1951 ABi 76 - 1951
Bison Brevities, 1952 ABi 76 - 1952
Bison Brevities, 1953 ABi 76 - 1953
Bison Brevities, 1956 - 1957 ABi 76 - 1956
Bison Brevities, 1957 ABi 76 - 1957
Bison Brevities, 1958 ABi 76 - 1958
Bison Brevities, 1959 ABi 76 - 1959
Bison Brevities, 1960 ABi 76 – 1960
Bison Brevities, Spring Musical - "South Pacific," personnel - 1961 ABi 76 - S 68
Bison Brevities, Spring Musical - "South Pacific," rehearsal (I & II) - 1961 ABi 76 - S 70(I&II)
Bison Brevities, Spring Musical – “Damn Yankees” - 1962 ABi 76 – D35
Bison Brevities, Spring Musical – “The Pajama Game” – 1963 ABi 76 – P 34
Bison Brevities, Spring Musical – “Sweey Charity” - 1969 ABi 76 – S 83
Bison Brevities, 1977 ABi 76 - 1977
Bison Brevities, 1978 ABi 76 - 1978
Bison Brevities, 1981 ABi 76 - 1981

Distinguished Educator – Jack Carter - 1989-1990 ADi 77 – Carter – 1989-1990
Distinguished Educator – Thor Hertsgaard – 1990-1991 ADi 77 – Hertsgaard – 1990-1991
Distinguished Educator – Curtis Amlund – 1991-1992 ADi 77 – Amlund – 1991-1992
Distinguished Educator – James Grier – 1992-1993 ADi 77 – Grier – 1992-1993
Distinguished Educator – Jane Pettinger – 1993-1994 ADi 77 – Pettinger -1993-1994
Distinguished Educator – William Bleier – 1994-1995 ADi 77 – Bleier – 1994-1995
Distinguished Educator – Tim Sellnow – 1995-1996 ADi 77 – Sellnow – 1995-1996
Distinguished Educator – Kathy Cummings – 1996-1997 ADi 77 – Cummings – 1996-1997
Distinguished Educator – JoAnn Miller - 1997-1998 ADi 77 – Miller – 1997-1998
Distinguished Educator – Catherine Cater – 1998-1999 ADi 77- Cater – 1998-1999
Distinguished Educator – Michael Garrison – 1999-2000 ADi 77 – Garrison – 1999-2000
Distinguished Educator – Edward Deckard – 2000-2001 ADi 77 – Deckard – 2000-2001
Distinguished Educator – Lisa Nolan – 2001-2002 ADi 77 – Nolan – 2001-2002

Doctor of Service – Mary Bromel – 1981 ADo 27 – Bromel – 1981
Doctor of Service – Ithel Schipper – 1982 ADo 27 – Schipper – 1982
Doctor of Service – Robert Koob – 1987 ADo 27 – Koob – 1987
Doctor of Service – Margriet Lacy – 1988 ADo 27 – Lacy – 1988
Doctor of Service – Gary Narum – 1989 ADo 27 – Narum – 1989
Doctor of Service – Lloyd Thompson – 1991 ADo 27 – Thompson – 1991
Doctor of Service – Andrew Keogh – 1992 ADo 27 – Keogh – 1992
Doctor of Service – Philip Haakenson – 1993 ADo 27 – Haakenson - 1993
Doctor of Service – Patty Corwin – 2000 ADo 27 – Corwin - 2000

Slides removed to NDSU Slide Collection:
Box 12
1 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1977
2 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1978
3 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1979
4 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1980
5 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1982
6 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1983
7 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1986
8 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1988
9 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1989
10 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1990
11 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1991
12 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1992
13 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1993
14 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1995
15 Bison Brevities- Slides, 1996-1998

16 Homecoming- Slides, 1985
17 Homecoming- Slides, 1987
18 Homecoming- Slides, 1988
19 Homecoming- Slides, 1989
20 Homecoming- Slides, 1990
21 Homecoming- Slides, 1991
22 Homecoming- Slides, 1994-1995
23 Homecoming- Slides, 1996
24 Homecoming- Slides, 1997
25 Homecoming- Slides, 1998

26 Nickel Trophy/ Spam Awards- Slides

Artifacts removed to NDAC/SU Artifacts Collection:
Box 1
16 Pin - NDSU - “HTSIBWRT” - Blue Key Production - May 5-6-7 – 1966 [Blue Key Spring Musical] (Donated by Herschel Lashkowitz - 1989)
34 Ribbon - Bison Brevities - April 4th-5th, 1940

Box 1A
42 Pin - Blue Key - n.d. (donated by Mary Wallum - pin of Everett J. Wallum)

Box #77
*T-Shirt - Bison Brevities 1990 – Blue Key – black with white and maroon lettering and design *Sweat-Shirt – Brevs 1992 – 60 years – “Now for something completely different…” white with yellow and blue lettering and design
*T-Shirt – Brevs 1992 – 60 years – “Now for something completely different…” – white with yellow and blue lettering and design
*Sweat-Shirt – Bison Brevities 1991 – gray/white with black and green lettering and design
*Sweat-Shirt – “Blue Key presents Bison Brevities ‘93” – gray/white with black and maroon lettering and design
*T-Shirt – “Blue Key presents Bison Brevities ‘93” – gray/white with black and maroon lettering and design (2)
*Long-Sleeve T-Shirt – “Brevin in 97 – The greatest show on earth’ – gray/white with black, yellow and red lettering and design
*T-Shirt – Blue Key International Honor Fraternity – gray/white with blue and yellow lettering and design

Box #78
*Plaque – Blue Key Homecoming Show – Spirit Award – 1979-1981
*Plaque – to Blue Key from MDA “In appreciation…” – 1989-1990
*Plaque – Blue Key – Homecoming Show – 1st Place – The Human Float Contest – n.d.
*Plaque – Blue Key – 1st Place – Booth Competition – 61st Little “I” – February 1987

Box #79
*Plaque – Blue Key Doctor of Service – general
*Plaque – Distinguished Educators Award – 1969-1970 – 1984-1985
*Plaque – Gimme My Nickel Back - Bison/Sioux Challenge – 1997, 1998