Iron Arrow is often referred to as “the highest honor attained at the University of Miami. ” There are five criteria for selection, which make Iron Arrow such a distinguished honor. These are leadership, character, humility, scholarship, and love of alma mater. In order to qualify for membership, the candidate must be a University of Miami student, faculty, administrator, or alumnus.
Founded in November 1926 by the first president of the University of Miami-Bowman Foster Ashe-Iron Arrow is the first and oldest student organization at the U. Iron Arrow is based on the ideals and traditions of the Seminole Indian Nation. Dr. Ashe charged Iron Arrow with upholding the traditions of the University of Miami and to be its living history. This is the mission and duty of the Iron Arrow tribe at the University of Miami.
The Tribe promotes leadership among students and the University through its members. What makes Iron Arrow the highest honor attained at the University of Miami is its long list of distinguished members who proudly wear a jacket created and designed in the Seminole Indian tradition. Iron Arrow is most visible on campus when it taps its new members, presenting them with the ceremonial jackets and welcoming them into the tribe each semester, during Homecoming in the fall and once during the spring semester. The beating of the Tribal drum and the fire at the Iron Arrow mound (located between the post office and the path between the University Center and Ashe Building are the outward symbols of this event, and are the traditions of the tribe. The Tribe looks forward to selecting new members because it is the way that the living tradition of the University of Miami continues and prospers. Spring 2014 College of Engineering inductees were Christopher Zavatsky (CAE ‘07) and Stanley “Brad” Bradshaw(BME ’14).
