The 21 Society

[1] Since its inception, the 21 Society has contributed philanthropically to a variety of groups, including the Center for Politics and corporate sponsorship of charitable causes organized by students.

[2][3] The group has occasionally offered politically oriented messages centering on issues of student self-governance and the promotion of the university's honor system.

Twenty-one fourth-year students are recognized annually “for quietly serving this university, improving it in character and in name through persistent action.”[6] Speakers in the past have included Allen Groves, dean of students, Leonard Sandridge, former EVP/COO, and Marcia Pentz from the McIntire School of Commerce.

For example, in 2004, The 21 Society began placing containers on the Lawn and the "quad" areas of the university filled with footballs, soccer balls, and flying discs for use by visitors and students.

The signs bore plaques encouraging free use of these items under the university's honor system.