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The Northwest Missouri Chapter of Blue Key Honor Society is the only known secret society at Northwest Missouri State University. The organization has had its hand in University functions in many areas of campus, including the annual crowning of the Tower King and Queen and awarding top freshman leaders during the Northwest Awards and Recognition Ceremony. It is recognized as the most prominent leadership and honorary organization on campus. Blue Key Honor Society is a prestigious honor society that nationally recognizes college students at institutions of higher education for balanced and all-around excellence in scholarship, leadership and service.

Origins
Founded in 1960, Blue Key seeks to recognize the top leaders at Northwest Missouri State University. Members of Blue Key include members of the Greek community, student leaders in the Student Government Association, and student athletes.

Membership
Undergraduates can be selected for membership in Blue Key at any time during their academic career. To be considered for membership, candidates must be involved, be ranked scholastically in the top third of their class, and be nominated and approved by a two-thirds vote of the active chapter. It is unclear how many members are in the active chapter, but members of the organization are said to represent the top .002% of students at Northwest. Membership changes from year to year, and students are chosen during the fall and spring semesters.

Secrecy
Once a student becomes a member of Blue Key, his or her membership is not kept hidden, but members do not talk about the organization. Blue Key's workings, purpose and affairs are known only to its members. The society's contributions and activities outside Tower King and Queen and Outstanding Freshman Leader awards are generally concealed. The meeting times and places are not known to the general student body.

The motto of the organization can be found on the society's logo and crest. "Serving I Live" is the national motto used and it exemplifies the types of students involved in the organization.

Influence
As with any secret organization, it is difficult to determine the reach of the organization or its members. It is known that many top leaders across campus within departments, extra-curricular activities and athletics are members of Blue Key. This includes past student body presidents, star athletes, and Greek leaders.

Membership in the Northwest Missouri Chapter of Blue Key has not always been open, so it is hard to know their influence beyond Northwest Missouri.