Founded in 1926, a year after the University of Miami was established, the Iron Arrow Honor Society is celebrating its centennial as the highest honor attainable at the University of Miami. As the university’s oldest honor society, its stated purpose from inception has been the protection, improvement, and general welfare of the institution.
Now, 100 years later, the society boasts 3,044 total members and a legacy deeply intertwined with the university’s leadership—and, in particular, the School of Law.
The law school years
Law school associate dean Alexis Martinez, J.D. ’04, a two-term chief and current member of the Council of Elders of the organization, describes a "fascinating history... and connection" between the law school and Iron Arrow. This link is so strong that a certain period in the society's history is known as "the law school years," a time when chiefs of the organization consistently came from the law school.
The ties to South Florida’s legal community remain as strong as ever.
The roster includes prominent deans, including the current interim dean, Patricia Sanchez Abril, and former deans Dennis O. Lynch, Russell Rasco, Minnette Massey, and Mary Doyle. The society’s legal lineage extends far beyond the deans' offices, with members including managing partners, numerous state and federal judges across South Florida, and former Florida Supreme Court justices. Notable justices include the late Gerald Kogan, who served as the society's chief from 1954-55, and former Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis, J.D. ’72.
Federal judges like Jose Martinez. J.D. ‘65, newly elevated federal magistrate Detra Shaw Wilder, bankruptcy judge Laurel Isicoff, and U.S. District Court Judge Beth Bloom are members. The group also includes Bertila Soto, chief judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit, and prominent alumni and Board of Trustees members H.T. Smith and Jaret Davis (chief 1997-1998).
“Service, character, and leadership are the hallmarks of both the organization and the legal profession,” said Judge Martinez, who served as Son of Chief as an undergraduate student and Chief as a first-year law student. “It is a profound honor to be part of both traditions, and I’m excited for the future of both as we recognize the young talent at UM Law and develop the legal leaders of the future.”
Elizabeth Rodriguez, J.D. ’89 and partner at Ford Harrison, was the organization's first female chief. “I was son of chief from 1987-1988 during my second year of law school and chief from 1988-1989, my third year of law school,” she said. “Those were busy years for the officers. We had to recreate everything—membership lists, fundraisers, and plan events. I was so busy and wanted to get it all done that I definitely did not appreciate the significance of what I was experiencing or contributing to until years later.
“My hopes for Iron Arrow in the next 100 years are to keep the history and traditions of the University alive and to continue to recognize exemplary leaders throughout the entire University,” Rodriguez said.
Traditions and structure
The University's first president, Dr. Bowman Foster Ashe, and its first student, Francis Spencer Houghtaling established the society. Its mission was to honor students who demonstrated outstanding scholarship, leadership, character, humility, and love of alma mater.
The society’s foundation in Native American traditions is rooted in the connection to the Seminole and Miccosukee nations, and the relationship is not just historical. It is maintained today by a Council of Elders, a small group of individuals with deep institutional history who advise and support the current student officers.
In a recent move to honor that continued connection, the society worked with the Miccosukee to change its officer titles to be more reflective of Miccosukee business operations. The title for the student chief became chair; son of chief became treasurer; and medicine man (the historian/ritualist) became lawmaker.
The three student officers must be currently enrolled in an academic program, whether undergraduate, graduate, law, or medical. They work with the Council of Elders and the university's president, who traditionally serves as the organization's sponsor. The current sponsor is University president Joe Echevarria.
The School of Law tapping into the next century
Membership is a two-step process. The first is "tapping," the very public ceremony seen on campus twice a year, where individuals are invited into membership. Following the tap, individuals must go through a private initiation ritual to become full members.
Nominations can only come from existing members, though the society accepts community recommendations. Those eligible for membership include junior and senior undergraduates, graduate students, alumni, faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees members.
This process, and the honor it represents, continues to resonate with new members.
Second-year law student Brandon Greenaway joined third-years Daniela Acosta, Sri Chaturvedula, Jacqueline Macia, and Emma Rice, who were tapped at Homecoming 2025, along with current Law Alumni Association president Harout Samra, alumnae Melissa Jordan and Sandra M. Ferrera, and associate dean for experiential learning, JoNel Newman.
"To be recognized by Iron Arrow and welcomed into such an esteemed group of remarkable people is truly humbling," said Acosta. "I’m overwhelmed with gratitude, pride, and emotion to stand among people who represent the very best of our community."
