110:, founded in 1890 and reactivated in 1994, is presumed to have thirteen members. Little information has been made public regarding their campus activities. The society maintains such a high level of secrecy that even members' wives and children are unaware of their membership. Such was the case of Louise Kale, Director of William and Mary's Historic Campus, who only became aware of her father's membership after his death. Although club membership and activities are kept secret, the 13s have allowed for outside communication through their campaign "Be Here Now" and campus speaker series "One Last Thing." In historical archives, a photo of their members was published in the 1939 edition of the W&M yearbook and presumably other years.
173:, and would not reopen until 1888. President Ewell continued to ring the College Bell at the beginning of each academic year for the duration of the College's closure. The name "The Cord" is thought to have been taken from the cord that rings the College Bell as a symbol of the society's endurance through William and Mary's darkest years. The society is said to consist of 8 members, 4 seniors who then select 4 juniors during each academic year to replace them and choose the next year's juniors. Little is known about the actions of The Cord, but they appear to take part in several ceremonies and rituals around campus each year, set up by the seniors but attended only by its juniors.
81:
dozens of umbrellas for the
Admissions Office to use during rainy campus tours; the umbrellas were decorated with the insignia of the Sevens. Historically, the society formally announced its members' identities as they graduated. In recent years, however, membership has become steeped in mystery—being only revealed in the event of death.
80:
is a senior-class society founded in 1826. It is believed to be the longest continuously run secret society at
William & Mary. Its seven members, selected in their junior year, work to honor and encourage those who help strengthen the university, often through gifts. In 2003, the Sevens"left
153:
but it was reformed sometime in the 20th century. The society's activities, which seek to further the reputation, pride, and mirth of the college community, include the promotion of a "Last
Lecture" in which it invites a noted faculty member to speak on issues of current social and/or academic
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and later restored by students. Taps are selected based on academic achievement, service to the campus community, and exceptional leadership. The society strives for the betterment of the college. It annually presents the 1832 Award to professors, seniors, staff, and student organizations.
126:
was likely created to counteract the college's male-dominated secret societies. It was created by Martha
Barksdale in 1918, a member of the first class of female students at William & Mary. Their stated mission is that they are dedicated to empowering women and recognizing strong female
272:. It honors one freshman every year for service to the Williamsburg community. The members are selected via secret invitation. The Society is service-focused and was founded by two students and Drew Stelljes, a former administrator and professor.
127:
leadership. They recognize female students and faculty monthly for their dedication to the college community by leaving yellow roses and notes for these individuals. Other details surrounding this society remain a mystery.
154:
importance. Membership in the society is confidential. During the college's annual commencement exercises, some graduating members identify their involvement by wearing medals featuring the society's symbol, an elongated
235:
P.D.A. was the second fraternity after FHC to be established at
William and Mary. Created in 1773. P.D.A. as a secret Latin name, was composed of seven individuals. It continued in operation until 1976.
207:(a largely unaffiliated student newspaper), "new members are selected by those currently in the group. Historically, the group has tapped student government leaders, as well as several members of
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252:, but a chapter has been established at William & Mary. Little is known about this society at the college. Another similarly named organization, the Phi Society of 1883 exists at
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The Zodiac
Society first revealed itself to the William & Mary campus by leaving a good luck note to students in Swem Library before the December 2013 final exams.
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There are several other secret societies with the word "seven" in their name, though there is no known evidence connecting the groups. One such society is the
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260:, the two societies are unrelated. Both societies branched off from the main organization due to conflicts of interest with the national organization.
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298:, which is the nation's oldest academic building. Like the Bishop James Madison Society, the Wren Society was forced to disband at the start of the
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39:, The F. H. C. Society, founded on November 11, 1750. Today several secret societies are known (or believed) to exist at the college, including
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is believed to have been founded in 1881 after the
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and George Wythe. It was refored in 1920s and operated until the 19403. In 1972, the society was reformed. According to
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Known inactive groups include the B.B. Club, which was active in the 1920s, and P.D.A., an 18th-century society.
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is associated the quote "There is no limit to the good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit” by
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reports its founding year as 1812. Named in honor of
William & Mary's eighth president, the late
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is said to have been founded in 1832 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of
British architect
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Special
Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary
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was founded on November 11, 1750, under a secret Latin name, possibly
47:, the Ladies of Alpha, the Live Oak Society, the Phi Society, the
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530:"Shhh! The Secret Side to the College's Lesser Known Societies"
92:, founded in 1905, also noted for its philanthropic practices.
633:"For the curious: the (small) list of secret societies at Cal"
731:"Live Oak Society - Special Collections Research Center Wiki"
702:"University Archives Subject File Collection, 1693-(ongoing)"
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birth. Sir Christopher Wren is the presumed designer of the
35:, dating back to the founding of the nation's first known
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Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture
354:"Secret Societies | Special Collections Knowledgebase"
18:
Secret societies at the College of William & Mary
561:"Surreptitious societies not a secret worth keeping"
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211:, which took its name from the historic group."
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72:Seven Society (College of William & Mary)
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321:Collegiate secret societies in North America
149:. The original society disbanded during the
27:A number of secret societies operate at the
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874:Brigham–Kanner Property Rights Conference
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500:"Secret Seven Reveals Current Graduates"
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414:"Secret society donates Sadler plaque"
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1193:The Colleges of William & Mary
559:Piepenbring, Dan (11 April 2008).
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197:Fraternitas Humanitas Cognitioque
1113:Mason School of Business Library
1097:Hearth: Memorial to the Enslaved
1004:McCormack–Nagelsen Tennis Center
611:"William & Mary 1850 - 1899"
1198:Richmond Professional Institute
888:Institute of Bill of Rights Law
387:"Peeking into closed societies"
385:Johnson, Chase (8 April 2008).
1183:Christopher Newport University
984:Jimmye Laycock Football Center
106:Given the society's name, the
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783:College of William & Mary
655:"William and Mary's The Cord"
586:"William and Mary's The Cord"
474:Herman, JR (April 23, 2021).
29:College of William & Mary
1315:Bishop James Madison Society
1260:The Gentlemen of the College
1123:Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall
1029:Coastal Athletic Association
509:. 12 January 1943. p. 1
358:William & Mary Libraries
143:Bishop James Madison Society
137:Bishop James Madison Society
131:Bishop James Madison Society
59:, and the Zodiac Society.
41:Bishop James Madison Society
1442:Collegiate secret societies
989:Millie West Tennis Facility
254:The University of the South
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863:William and Mary Quarterly
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268:Little is known about the
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1103:Henry C. Wolf Law Library
476:"Campus Secret Societies"
37:collegiate secret society
1387:William and Mary Victory
1173:Williamsburg Bray School
1118:Muscarelle Museum of Art
815:Mason School of Business
1188:Old Dominion University
1091:Earl Gregg Swem Library
893:Phi Beta Kappa Society
801:Affiliate institutions
534:The Dog Street Journal
292:Sir Christopher Wren's
250:University of Virginia
90:University of Virginia
33:Williamsburg, Virginia
1380:Royal Hospital School
1358:Colonial Williamsburg
1178:Matthew Whaley School
805:Richard Bland College
55:, the W Society, the
1393:City of Williamsburg
1375:Rich Neck Plantation
540:on 28 September 2011
147:Bishop James Madison
1066:Alan B. Miller Hall
820:School of Education
712:on January 15, 2009
590:Secret Societies of
248:was created at the
51:, the Society, the
1283:DoG Street Journal
1255:Bus transportation
961:Women's volleyball
941:Women's basketball
418:William & Mary
225:George C. Marshall
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1297:Virginia Informer
1168:Colonial colleges
1128:President's House
971:Albert–Daly Field
480:Flat Hat Magazine
102:The Thirteen Club
16:(Redirected from
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1369:I Am the College
1305:Secret societies
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1231:King William III
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1086:Crim Dell bridge
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1045:Tribe Fight Song
999:Kingsmill Resort
936:Men's basketball
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1405:Categories:
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1332:WCWM 90.9 FM
1325:Wren Society
1295:
1288:
1281:
1277:Publications
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1246:Student life
1108:Lake Matoaka
1095:
1071:Alumni House
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1009:Plumeri Park
994:Kaplan Arena
946:Men's soccer
861:
854:
851:Publications
738:. Retrieved
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714:. Retrieved
710:the original
705:
696:
684:. Retrieved
677:The Flat Hat
671:
661:25 September
659:. Retrieved
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639:25 September
637:. Retrieved
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617:25 September
615:. Retrieved
605:
594:. Retrieved
592:. 2019-09-25
589:
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568:. Retrieved
565:The Flat Hat
564:
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542:. Retrieved
538:the original
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511:. Retrieved
507:The Flat Hat
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483:. Retrieved
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390:. Retrieved
362:. Retrieved
360:. 2019-09-09
357:
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288:Wren Society
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282:Wren Society
276:Wren Society
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57:Wren Society
26:
1226:Chancellors
980:Busch Field
930:Capital Cup
246:Phi Society
240:Phi Society
1431:Categories
1265:Greek life
1221:Presidents
1081:Brafferton
967:Facilities
898:Public Ivy
883:Honor code
825:Law School
740:2024-08-07
716:2008-06-17
681:"About Us"
596:2024-08-07
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