The Iron Arrow Honor Society, founded in 1926, is a highly selective honor society for students, faculty, staff, and alumni at the University of Miami. Historically, the Society was male-only, founded as the "The Highest Honor Attained by Men." After several years of social and legal pressure, the all-male membership voted to admit women in 1985. Criteria for membership include scholarship, leadership, character, humility, and love of alma mater. Membership in the Society is the highest honor bestowed by the University.
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) becan in 1943 as a small marine biology and fisheries laboratory founded by Dr. F. G. Walton Smith. The IOF was founded in November 1953 to advance occean reserch. Dr. Smith was executive secretary of the foundation.
