College Secret Societies: Less Secret, More Social
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008
Say the words ‘secret society’, and you automatically conjure images of dark men meeting in dark chambers to perform arcane rituals and plot their world domination. Most of the secret societies that exist at college campuses today, however, are anything but secret. They’ve retained their weird chants and gothic abodes, but forget about discovering any hidden plots or sinister brotherhoods.
These are really just glorified fraternities with little but mischief and a career boost in their plans. Just how un-secret are they? The names of new members for most of these societies are published in the school paper the morning after they are inducted.
(If you can sense the disappointment in my writing, it is because I went after this topic expecting to find conspiracy theories and shady secrets. Now I’m stuck writing an article about a bunch of over-privileged Ivy-League kids who like to pretend they’re Druids and will probably be able to get any job they want. Yawn!)
Sphinx Head – The oldest senior honor society at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, the Sphinx Head Society was founded in 1890 to “create and maintain a stronger feeling” for the university and promote “a closer and stronger friendship among members of the Senior class.” I know, I know. Nothing about usurping power or overthrowing the government.
Chosen according to their status and accomplishments, members keep their rituals and proceedings secret, although their membership is made public. Sphinx Head members have gone on to prominence in government, business, athletics, entertainment, and writing. Recent members include ex-NFL defensive tackle Seth Payne and former American Gladiator and ESPN sportscaster Leo J. Reherman. You’re probably asking, “Who?” So am I.
Quill and Dagger – Founded at Cornell in 1893, this society claims to “recognize undergraduates who have shown leadership, character, and dedication to service.” Names of Quill and Dagger members have been carved on numerous buildings around campus. They meet at the top of Lyon Tower, which meetings are barred to the public.
Some notable Quill and Dagger members include two National Security Advisors, two World Bank Presidents, five prominent members of the Bush administration, and several oil industry executives. I’m hungry for some conspiracy here, so why not point out the links here between big oil, the current president, and national security? Hmmmm…
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The Order of Skull and Bones – With its hand in the creation of the CIA and its powerful alumni, this society has accumulated perhaps more dark secrets than any of its counterparts. So many intelligence officials have come from the Yale secret societies, in fact, that it is believed the term ‘spook’, used for intelligence agents, actually came from the old nickname for members of the Yale societies.
Well-known Bonesmen include President George W. Bush, President George H. W. Bush, Senator John Kerry, President William Howard Taft, H.J. Heinz, II, and scores of other notables. This society has some serious power under its belt.
Seven Society – This is the one truly “secret” secret society I could fine. Founded in 1905 at University of Virginia in Chalottesville, VA, this society keeps its membership secret. Only at death are their identities revealed via a black, seven-shaped wreath being placed at their grave. They are known to give donations to the university in the form of letters marked with seven astronomical symbols: Earth, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Neptune, Uranus, and Venus. The dollar amounts of their donations usually include the number seven.
Notable members include one secretary of state and a couple of university presidents. Maybe when a few more die, we’ll find out more.
Michagamua – With a name like that, you know they’re up to no good. Their stated goal is to “fight like hell for Michigan”; their actual service activities have never been clarified. Started at University of Michigan in 1902 by university president James Angell and named after a fictional tribe, this society came under fire from Native American groups for its mocking use of peace pipes, drums, totems, and other Native American regalia in its public rituals. The society abandoned its public rituals in 1979 and stopped all pseudo-Native American practices in 1989. In the ‘90s, to put its Native American roots behind it and assume a more progressive posture, the society changed its name to the Order of Angell.
Prominent members include President Gerald Ford, a Supreme Court Justice, a civil rights leader (ironic), several U of M football coaches, a Heisman winner, several university presidents, and a few NFL players.
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