List of senior societies

Senior societies are a type of collegiate student organization that recruits juniors and seniors.[1] Senior societies are associated with Dartmouth College, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.[1][2] These societies can be activity-based, identity-based, school-based (departmental or academic field), or traditional.[1] Senior societies may be "landed", owning a building or tomb, or "non-landed".[3][4][5]

Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (1883), notes that Phi Beta Kappa, founded at the College of William & Mary in 1776, was the first senior society.[6][a] At Dartmouth College, senior societies date back to 1783 with the founding of an organization called the Society of Social Friends.[7] Dartmouth currently had fourteen active senior societies.[7] Yale has more than forty active senior societies.[3] The oldest senior society at Yale is Skull and Bones, established in 1831, followed by Scroll and Key in 1841.[3] Other colleges have similar organizations but use different terminology. For example, there are Princeton University eating clubs and Harvard University final clubs.[8]

Senior societies tend to be exclusive, and members pay dues to belong.[9] Members are most often recruited by a process called "tapping".[2][7][4] Membership in each senior society tends to be small, averaging around fifteen active members.[5] Some senior societies are also secret societies, where the names of members are kept secret, while others are open and share their membership rolls.[7] Other senior societies are semi-secret, keeping member's names a secret until graduation.[7] Some senior societies also are considered honor societies.[9]

Following is an incomplete list of collegiate senior societies.

Society Charter date and range Institution Type Ref.
100 Senior Honorary 2005 Emory University [10]
Abaris 1996 Dartmouth College Traditional [7][11]
Agaia Yale University [12]
Agora Yale University [12]
Andromeda 2013 Dartmouth College Traditional [7][11]
The Apostles Yale University [12][13]
Atlas 2013 Dartmouth College Traditional [7][11]
Aurelian Honor Society 1910 Yale University Traditional, secret [13]
B&C Yale University [13]
BaR Yale University [12][13]
Bell Senior Society 2014 University of Pennsylvania Activity-based [1][14]
Belmonte Yale University [12][13]
Berzelius (secret society) 1848 Yale University Traditional, secret [12][4]
Beta Omega 1841–xxxx ? Kenyon College Traditional [15]
Book and Snake 1863 Yale University Traditional, secret [12][4]
C&D Yale University [13]
Cage and Feather Yale University [12][13]
Cane Club 1921– xxxx ? Johns Hopkins University Traditional
Cap and Skull 1900 Rutgers University Traditional
Carriage Senior Society 2013 University of Pennsylvania Identity-based [1][16]
Casque and Gauntlet 1887 Dartmouth College Traditional [7][17]
Ceres Athena Yale University [13][b]
C.C.C. 1876–xxxx ? University of California, Berkeley [15]
Chimera 1914 Dartmouth College Traditional, secret [7]
Cipactli Latinx Honor Society 2001 University of Pennsylvania Identity-based [1][18]
Clio 2020 Dartmouth College Traditional [11]
Cloak and Dagger Yale University [12]
Cobra 1978 Dartmouth College Traditional [7][17]
Cong Yale University [4]
Cup and Crown Yale University [12][13]
De Gang 1891–1910s Johns Hopkins University Traditional
Delta Kappa Delta (local) 18xx ?–xxxx ? Marietta College Traditional [15]
Deru 1896 Northwestern University Activity-based [19]
Desmos 1950–1967, 2010 Yale University Traditional, secret [12][13][20][c]
Double Cuffs 2010 Yale University [13][5]
Dragon Society 1898 Dartmouth College Traditional, secret [7][11]
DSG 1989 Yale University Traditional, secret [12][13][d]
DVS Senior Honor Society 1902 Emory University Activity-based [21]
Elephant and Coffin 18xx ?–xxxx ? City College of New York Traditional [15]
Elihu Club 1903 Yale University Traditional [4][13]
Fire and Skoal 1975 Dartmouth College Traditional [7][17]
Fork & Knife Yale University [12][13]
Friars Senior Society 1899 University of Pennsylvania Traditional [22]
Griffin 1995 Dartmouth College Traditional [2][7][11]
Gryphon Yale University [12][13]
Gryphon Senior Society 2020 University of Pennsylvania School-based [23][24]
Helios Society 2015 Yale University [25]
Hexagon 1910 University of Pennsylvania School-based [1]
Ink and Needle Yale University [12][13]
Innominatum Yale University [12]
Iris Yale University [12]
Iron Key Purdue University Activity based, secret [26][27]
ISO Yale University [13]
Kinoki Senior Society 2014 University of Pennsylvania Activity-based [28]
Lantern Society 1993 University of Pennsylvania School-based [1]
LC Yale University [12][13]
Leviathan Yale University [12][13]
Lincoln Yale University [13]
Linonian Society 1753–xxxx ?, 19xx ? Yale University Traditional, secret [13][e]
Lion's Paw Senior Society 1908 Pennsylvania State University Activity-based [29]
Looking Glass Yale University [12][13]
LSV Society 1907 University of Missouri [30]
Mace and Chain 1956 Yale University Traditional, secret [12][4]
Manuscript Society 1951 Yale University Traditional [12][13]
Mortar Board 1918 National Traditional
Myth and Sword 1875–1965, 199x ? Yale University Traditional, secret [12][13]
Nacoms 1898 Columbia University Activity-based
Nathan Hale Yale University [12]
Nightingales 2011 University of Pennsylvania School-based [1]
Octa Yale University [13]
Olympus 2014 Dartmouth College Traditional [7][11]
Onyx Senior Society 1974 University of Pennsylvania Identity-based [1][31]
Oracle Senior Society 2003 University of Pennsylvania Identity-based [1][32]
Order of the Sirens 2007 Dartmouth College Traditional [7][11]
Osiris 2016 Dartmouth College Traditional [7][11]
Osiris Senior Society 2013 University of Pennsylvania Activity-based [1][33]
Osiris Society 1903 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Traditional [34]
Owl and Key 1909 University of Utah Traditional
Owl and Serpent 18xx ?–xxxx ? Wesleyan University Traditional [15]
Owl and Wand 1868–1960s Wesleyan University Traditional [35]
OX 1980 Yale University Traditional [12][13]
Palaeopitus Senior Society 1899 Dartmouth College Activity-based [36]
Pew Yale University [4]
Phi Chi 18xx ?–xxxx ? Bowdoin College Traditional [15]
Phoenix 1984 Dartmouth College Traditional [7][11]
The Pithotomy Club 1893–1992 Johns Hopkins University School-based
Phrygian 2005 Dartmouth College Traditional, secret [37]
Praetorian Yale University [38]
Prince Yale University [4]
The Pundits 1884 Yale University Activity-based
Pyxis 2014 Dartmouth College Traditional [7]
Quaternion Club 1903–2023 Furman University Traditional, men [39][40]
Quaternion Senior Order 2023 Furman University Traditional, coed [39]
Quill and Dagger 1883 Cornell University Traditional [8][41]
Red Dragon Society 1898 New York University Traditional, secret
Red Mask Yale University [12][13]
Ring and Candle xxxx ?–c. 1975, 2015 Yale University [12][42]
Sachems 1915 Columbia University Activity-based, secret
Sage and Chalice Yale University Traditional, secret [13]
St. Elmo Society 1963 Yale University Traditional, secret [4][13]
Scarabbean Senior Society 1915 University of Tennessee Activity-based, secret
Scroll and Key 1842 Yale University Traditional, secret [12][3]
Senior Order 1937-2023 Furman University Traditional, women [39]
The Senior Society 1892 Johns Hopkins University Traditional
Shamash Senior Society 2018 University of Pennsylvania Identity-based [43][44]
Sigma Society 1880 Washington and Lee University Traditional, secret
Skull and Bones 1832 Yale University Traditional, secret [12][3]
Skull & Keys 1882–c. 1980 University of California, Berkeley Traditional, secret
Snakes Society 1993 University of Pennsylvania School-based
Society of Fox and Chariot 2015 Yale University [25]
Spade and Grave 1864 Yale University Traditional, secret [13]
Sphinx 1886 Dartmouth College Traditional, secret [8][17]
Sphinx Head 1890 Cornell University Activity-based
Sphinx Senior Society 1900 University of Pennsylvania Traditional [45]
Society of Saint Thomas Aquinas (aka Aquinas) 2010 Yale University Traditional [12]
Society of Social Friends 1783–xxxx? Dartmouth College Traditional [7]
Tau Club 1891–1911 Johns Hopkins University Traditional
TDC Yale University [13]
Tejas Club 1925 University of Texas at Austin
Torch Honor Society 1916–196x ?, 1995 Yale University Traditional [13][46]
Trident and Shell 18xx ?–xxxx ? University of Michigan Traditional [15]
Tyger 1892 Dartmouth College Traditional, secret [11]
Vulcan Senior Engineering Society 1904 University of Michigan School-based [47]
Whiskey and Coke Yale University [12][5][13]
WIPS (Women in Power Society) Yale University Identity-based [12][13][48]
Wolf's Head Society 1883 Yale University Traditional [12]
XV Yale University [12]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Phi Beta Kappa is now considered to be an honor society.
  2. ^ Created when women were first admitted to Yale University.
  3. ^ Reformed from Key and Stone (local).
  4. ^ Rumpus reported that DSG stands for "Drunk Senior Girls" but this is disputed by the organization's members.
  5. ^ Originally formed as a literary society, Linonia was revived as a secret senior society in the 20th century.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Glatsky, Genevieve (September 22, 2016). "Inside Senior Societies". 34th Street. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  2. ^ a b c Wuu, Sydney (January 12, 2021). "Senior societies navigate challenges as winter tapping proceeds virtually". The Dartmouth. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  3. ^ a b c d e Gittler, Gittler; Hart, Chrissy (2017-02-24). "The choice is yours". Yale Daily News. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Pohly, Kaitlyn (2024-02-28). "Behind tomb doors: Yale's society tap process". Yale Daily News. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  5. ^ a b c d Branch, Mark Alden (July 2014). "Open secrets". Yale Alumni Magazine. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  6. ^ Baird, Wm. Raimond, ed. (1883). "Miscellaneous - Senior Societies". American College Fraternities (2nd revised [known as the 3rd] ed.). New York: Frank Williams. pp. 195–196.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Bauman, Gretchen (February 9, 2024). "Tapping, Tunnels and the Tomb: The Development of Dartmouth's Senior Societies". The Dartmouth. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  8. ^ a b c Courtney, Nadine Jolie (2016-08-09). "The Most Exclusive Student Clubs of the Ivy League". Town & Country. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  9. ^ a b Orrson, Emily (April 20, 2011). "The Half of It: Senior societies shouldn't have to tap that". The Daily Pennsylvanian. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  10. ^ "100 Senior Honorary". Emory Advancement & Alumni Engagement. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Senior Societies | Greek Life and Societies". Dartmouth College. 2016-11-22. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah "Senior Societies" (PDF). The Rumpus. 23 (4): 3–5. May 2016 – via Yale University.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah "List: 41 secret societies at Yale". Yale Alumni Magazine. July 2014. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  14. ^ "Bell Senior Society". bellsociety.com. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g Baird, Wm. Raimond, ed. (1879). "Class Fraternities - Senior Societies - Beta Omega". American College Fraternities (1st ed.). Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. p. 150.
  16. ^ Cheng, Chloe (April 14, 2016). "Carriage senior society brings together LGBTQ students and allies". The Daily Pennsylvanian. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  17. ^ a b c d "Dartmouth's First Senior Society". Dartmouth College. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  18. ^ "About". Cipactli Lantinx Honor Society. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  19. ^ Walsh, Sean Collins (2011-02-15). "In Focus: Inside Deru". The Daily Northwestern. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  20. ^ Yiin, Wesley (2014-04-15). "Society lands on Chapel Street". Yale Daily News. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  21. ^ "DVS - Emory Senior Society". Emory Giving. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  22. ^ "About". Friars Senior Society. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  23. ^ Garcia, Andres (February 24, 2021). "Two students form senior society open only to College students". The Daily Pennsylvanian. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  24. ^ Garcia, Andres (February 24, 2021). "Two students form senior society open only to College students". The Daily Pennsylvanian. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  25. ^ a b O'Daly, Britton (2017-04-18). "Two societies added to Society Initiative". Yale Daily News. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  26. ^ "Iron Key Society (Purdue University)". Purdue University. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  27. ^ Holman, Heather (2000-04-06). "Society works for student body". Purdue Exponent. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  28. ^ Johnson, Greg (March 23, 2017). "Film society preps Penn seniors for careers in entertainment". Penn Today. University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  29. ^ "The Lion's Paw Senior Society". The Lion's Paw Senior Society. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  30. ^ "Honors Societies". University of Missouri–Columbia Department of Religious Studies. Archived from the original on 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
  31. ^ "History". onyx. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  32. ^ About Oracle Archived 2012-07-28 at the Wayback Machine Oracle Senior Honor Society
  33. ^ Osiris Senior Society Archived April 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  34. ^ Garfinkel, Simson (December 23, 2024). "MIT's (mostly) secret society". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  35. ^ "Owl and Wand Society, 1874". Wesleyan University Special Collections & Archives. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  36. ^ "History – Palaeopitus Senior Society". Dartmouth College. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  37. ^ "Phrygian Society". Dartmouth Libraries Archives & Manuscripts. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  38. ^ "Secret Societies 2015". Rumpus. June 2015. Retrieved 2025-04-10 – via Scribd.
  39. ^ a b c Underwood, Tina (2023-05-01). "Legacy honor societies combine ranks, elect new members". Furman University. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  40. ^ "An honor of the highest accord". Furman University. 2017-03-27. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  41. ^ "A Peek Into the World of Collegiate Secret Societies". CollegeXpress. March 28, 2025. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  42. ^ Victor, Jon (2015-10-08). "Seven new senior societies established". Yale Daily News. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  43. ^ Wu, Allison (October 22, 2018). "Penn has a new senior society for Jewish students: Shamash". The Daily Pennsylvanian. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  44. ^ "Shamash Senior Society". Shamash Senior Society. Archived from the original on 2018-09-21. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  45. ^ "History". Sphinx Senior Society. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  46. ^ "Collection: Torch Honor Society, Yale University, records". Archives at Yale. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  47. ^ "The Vulcans: A Reflective and Critical History of the College of Engineering's Secret Society". University of Michigan Library. 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  48. ^ "Secret societies get social: WIPS' Pinterest". The Yale Herald. April 11, 2013. Retrieved 2025-03-24 – via UWire.
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