We’ve all heard about them—those secretive, kind of creepy, super exclusive college societies that are supposedly responsible for the assassination of JFK and the attack on the Twin Towers. But did you know just how many colleges actually claim secret societies? There are quite a few in America alone, and it’s probably a good bet that more than a few will surprise you. So, without further ado, here is a list of some of the top colleges with a sneaky and surprising past:
1. Yale University
This University probably has the most infamous secret society—the “Skull and Bones”. This is the society that has former Presidents, members of congress, and other political powerhouses attached to its name, as well as plenty of conspiracy theories about just what, exactly, goes on inside the “Skull and Bones tomb”. The Skull and Bones society even owns its own island in Upstate New York, called “Deer Island”. This is where many of the “Bonesman”, as they are known, often go to enjoy time together, and do plenty of other anonymous activities. Former president George W. Bush was a member of this society, and when asked about it, he simply said that it was, “so secret, I can’t say anything more.” Spooky.
2. The College of William and Mary
This College gets to claim the title of oldest secret college society in America. The F.H.C. society was founded in 1750, and although there is some speculation about what the initials actually stand for (many believe it is Latin for Brotherhood, Humanness, and Knowledge), it has been informally known as the “Flat Hat Club” for a number of years. The society was disbanded around the time of the American Revolution, but was reorganized in 1915, this time officially adopting the “Flat Hat Club” as its name. There isn’t much information about what goes on in the FHC, except that there are sixteen members—four professors and twelve undergraduate students—all men, of course.
3. Dartmouth College
The Sphinx society at Dartmouth College can include itself of the list of oldest societies in the country—it was founded in 1885, and has never ceased to be a part of the societies at Dartmouth. It also has a neat, Egyptian style tomb where the group meets. There is plenty of rumor and stigma surrounding the building, including the notion that it has the highest water bill of any building in town (because, as rumor has it, there’s a swimming pool inside). Although the city has said that this isn’t the case, many people can’t help but wonder…
The society has been known for some of the pranks that it pulled on the unsuspecting non-members of Dartmouth, including the theft of some very valuable items across campus. Luckily for the club, the artifacts were (mostly) returned and they got away without much trouble.
4. Harvard University
Ah, Harvard. One of the most well-known Universities in the country. Although this University doesn’t have one major secret society, they have quite a number of secret clubs and groups for students to join. The selection process for these groups is kept under wraps, and the initiations and meetings are also kept hush, hush. This school also has all-female groups for its senior women to join—a rare find in the secret college society world.
5. Princeton University
This University’s secret societies are probably the most shrouded in mystery. Not much is known about them, and this is probably due to the ban that former President Woodrow Wilson placed on “clandestine organizations” at the school. Princeton has a group know as The 21 Club, supposedly a group just for men interested in drinking. They also have a literary society known as St. Anthony Hall, as well as numerous other societies that aren’t supposed to be talked about–how typical.
6. Cornell University
The secret societies at Cornell rank right up there with the “Skull and Bones” at Yale. The main society is called the Quill and Dagger, and membership is generally only offered to the most promising individuals on campus. In fact, gaining membership into the group was once known as the highest honor outside of an academic degree that a student could obtain. This society was also the first one to allow women into its hallowed ranks— which was probably a wise choice. There is not much known about the meetings and goings on of this society, and non-members are not allowed onto the top floor of Lyon Tower, the meeting place for the group. Typical.
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
If you’re into Arthurian legends about knights and chivalry, then the Order of Gimghoul just might be the secret society for you. According to rumor, the Order was founded around the legend of a student named Peter Dromgoole that disappeared from the UNC campus quite mysteriously sometime in 1833. Apparently Dromgoole was extremely interested in the legends of King Arthur, chivalry and knighthood, and that is what the society now centers around. Supposedly the group meets just for fun, and to build friendships, but no one is allowed to talk about the happenings in the groups, and even the archives are off-limits if they are younger than fifty years old. The best part about this society? Probably the castle that they built to hold their secret meetings in.
8. Dickinson College
This College has three different societies, one of which ranks among the oldest in the country. The Raven’s Claw allows seven different men into its ranks each year, with each new member being selected by one of the former seven. This is also one society that has decided to do some good, in the form of service activities that are done quietly around small towns in Pennsylvania. Dickinson college also houses The Order of the Scroll and Key, as well as Wheel and Chain, an all-female secret society. Although the members of these groups are known across campus, their activities are still kept under wraps—so no one really knows what they do.
9. Rutgers University
Rutgers University has had quite a few secret societies on its campus over the years, supposedly set up in the same manner as the groups at Yale. The names of these societies bring forth quite an interesting visual, such as The Sword and Serpent, or The Order of the Poor Knights of the Bull’s Blood. Unfortunately, only one society remains on campus today, The Cap and Skull. This group has changed from less of a secret group, to something more closely resembling an honor society. However, the traditions and rituals of the group are still kept closely guarded, and membership is still quite limited.
10. Penn State University
Penn State has three known secret societies on its campus: Parmi Nous Senior Society, The Lion’s Paw Senior Society, and Skull and Bones Senior Society (which doesn’t really have anything to do with the Yale Skull and Bones group). Like all the rest, the groups activities are kept pretty hush hush, although the Lion’s Paw does have quite a lot of alumni that still participate in many of its activities. Not only that, but it is known that members of Congress have been former members of the group, and so have some of the power players in the technology and financial industry. Apparently, it’s a good idea to join this group if you’d like to be successful after graduation.
So there you have it. This list is just the beginning of the extensive history and deep connections that crazy college societies have in this country. Some are a little less spooky than others, but all have their mysteries and traditions that are only known to members. Anyone out there ready to sign up?
