Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Scroll and Key

Scroll and Key, incorporated as the Kingsley Trust Association, is a secret senior society at founded in 1841 as the second such organization after . It annually taps fifteen juniors for membership, initiating them into rituals and deliberations held within a distinctive windowless building on College Street known as the Tomb. The society originated from dissatisfaction among Yale students, including William Kingsley (class of 1843), William Huntington (class of 1843), and John Porter (class of 1842), who were overlooked for selection into and sought to establish an alternative fraternity emphasizing different ideals of camaraderie and distinction. Membership has historically conferred prestige and networking opportunities, yielding alumni who achieved prominence in diplomacy, arts, medicine, and public service, such as , the 51st U.S. Secretary of State, and , the renowned composer. While maintaining strict secrecy regarding internal proceedings, Scroll and Key's enduring influence stems from the empirical success of its members in elite domains rather than unsubstantiated narratives of undue power.

History

Founding and Early Years

The Scroll and Key Society, incorporated as the Kingsley Trust Association, was established in 1841 at , becoming the second secret senior society after , which had been founded in 1832. It emerged from disputes over exclusivity in Yale's existing literary and debating societies, with founders including John Addison Porter of the Class of 1842, William Kingsley of the Class of 1843, and William Huntington. The society's creation reflected broader tensions among student groups seeking alternative paths to prestige and camaraderie outside the dominant structure. In its early years, Scroll and Key selected approximately 15 senior members annually through a secretive process, initially involving society members assembling at to visit and recruit juniors en masse. Meetings occurred in rented spaces or members' rooms, later shifting to a custom-designed suite in a New Haven office building before the construction of a dedicated hall. The society was formally incorporated in 1860, with early member William Kingsley playing a key role in that process, solidifying its institutional presence amid Yale's evolving student culture.

Growth and Institutionalization

Following its founding in 1842 as the Kingsley Trust Association by members of Yale's Class of 1843, including William T. Kingsley and John Addison Porter, rapidly established itself as a principal rival to among Yale's senior societies. The society's early operations involved renting quarters, such as rooms on the fourth floor of the Leffingwell Building at Church and Court Streets starting in 1847, which facilitated regular meetings and initiation rituals among its initial cohorts of approximately 15 seniors annually. This structure mirrored ' model but emphasized themes of intellectual pursuit and trusteeship, drawing from the liberal arts ethos prevalent in mid-19th-century Yale. A pivotal step in institutionalization occurred with the construction of its dedicated headquarters, known as the , at 484 College Street. Commissioned in 1869 and completed in 1870, the building was designed by architect in a Moorish Revival style, featuring a compact, windowless facade that underscored the society's secretive operations while providing a permanent venue for assemblies. Funded through alumni contributions, the Tomb represented a shift from transient rentals to owned infrastructure, enabling expanded internal practices and symbolizing the society's growing prestige and financial self-sufficiency among Yale's elite networks. By the 1870s, Scroll and Key further entrenched its institutional role through formal endowments and academic initiatives, such as establishing the John Addison in 1872 to honor scholarly achievement in the arts and sciences, administered via the Kingsley Trust. The society's alignment with Yale's evolving social hierarchy was reinforced by the standardization of Tap Day in 1879, a campus-wide for society selections that integrated Scroll and Key into the university's formalized extracurricular framework. These developments, coupled with sustained membership of 15 per class, positioned it as one of Yale's "Big Three" societies by the late , alongside and the later Wolf's Head.

Evolution in the 20th and 21st Centuries

In the early , Scroll and Key maintained its status as one of Yale's most selective senior societies, drawing members from prominent families and future leaders in government, business, and medicine. Notable alumni included , who served as U.S. from 1949 to 1953 and shaped post-World War II foreign policy, including the and formation. Other influential figures encompassed , founder of the in 1961, and Harvey Cushing, a pioneering neurosurgeon who advanced brain surgery techniques in the 1910s and 1920s. The society's alumni network facilitated access to elite positions, with members like later becoming Yale's president from 1978 to 1986, underscoring its enduring role in institutional leadership. Mid-century adaptations reflected broader societal shifts, yet Scroll and Key preserved its secretive traditions amid Yale's transition to coeducation in 1969, initially remaining all-male like most senior societies. By the late 1980s, facing debates and pressures for inclusivity, the society voted to admit women, marking a pivotal from its exclusively male origins. This change preceded similar moves by peers like , which resisted until 1992, and aligned Scroll and Key with Yale's diversifying student body without diluting its tap-based selection of high-achieving juniors. Into the , Scroll and Key has continued tapping 15 seniors annually, emphasizing intellectual and leadership potential over rigid demographics, resulting in ideologically varied membership. For instance, in , the society selected a leader from Yale's chapter, illustrating openness to progressive voices amid critiques of elite exclusivity. Contemporary alumni such as , a host and foreign affairs analyst tapped in the 1980s, and , creator of the comic strip since 1970, highlight its sustained cultural and media influence. Despite external scrutiny over secrecy and networking advantages, the society has endured without major scandals, adapting rituals to coed dynamics while prioritizing verifiable merit in selections.

Traditions and Operations

Selection and Initiation Rituals

The selection for Scroll and Key begins in mid-February each year, when current senior members initiate contact with prospective juniors during designated periods set by a coordinating . Each active member nominates up to four candidates, drawing from personal networks and aiming for a mix of known individuals and those who complement the group's dynamics, such as athletes, performers, or leaders in specific extracurriculars. An initial pool of 40 to 80 candidates is compiled and deliberated upon internally, with the list halved through discussion; Scroll and Key notably forgoes interviews, relying instead on member consensus. Pre-tap offers may be extended approximately one week before Tap Night, typically in mid-April, allowing to commit or explore multiple invitations during a "scramble week." On Tap Night itself, formal inductions occur, with Scroll and Key historically escorting selectees in black limousines for a dramatic public reveal, evolving from 19th-century courtyard tappings where physically struck ' backs to signal selection. The taps 15 new members annually, maintaining a consistent amid Yale's broader landscape. Initiation follows tapping with cryptic public rituals featuring eccentric displays, such as blindfolded processions or theatrical antics, though Yale regulations prohibit restraint or hazing. These outward spectacles culminate a week of pre-induction activities, after which new members enter regular Thursday and Sunday meetings involving 5- to 6-hour personal biography sessions to build loyalty and cohesion. Details of any private ceremonies remain closely held, consistent with the society's emphasis on internal traditions over public disclosure.

Meetings, Symbols, and Internal Practices

Members of Scroll and Key convene for meetings twice weekly, typically on Thursdays and , within the confines of their windowless at 490 College Street in New Haven. These gatherings, attended by the society's approximately senior members, emphasize and occur under conditions of strict , with no of discussions or proceedings. The society's iconography centers on the scroll and key, emblematic motifs reflected in its name and crest, which likely symbolize preservation of and selective , respectively, though precise esoteric meanings are withheld from non-members. Internal practices include the ritualistic sharing of "bios"—detailed autobiographical confessions—that promote vulnerability and lifelong camaraderie among initiates, a common to Yale's landed senior societies but adapted uniquely within Scroll and Key's operations. Annual initiation on Tap Night features public elements, such as processions from the to select , but subsequent internal rituals and deliberations remain opaque, shielded by oaths of enforced since the society's founding in 1842. This veil of privacy extends to symbolic artifacts like membership pins, which bear the scroll and key but disclose no further operational details.

Physical Infrastructure

The Tomb: Design and Location

The Scroll and Key Society's building, referred to as the Tomb, stands at 490 College Street in , situated at the corner of College and Wall streets. This location places it within Yale University's campus vicinity, proximate to other senior society structures. Architect designed the building in the Moorish Revival style, with construction completed in 1870. Key design features include light-colored stone accented by dark-striped bands, golden Moorish screens, and an emphasis on symmetrical facades, evoking Middle Eastern architectural influences. The structure's opaque and fortress-like appearance aligns with the society's secretive operations, though it functions primarily as a meeting hall rather than an actual . Prior to acquiring this dedicated edifice, Scroll and Key members convened in a custom penthouse suite within a New Haven office building, reflecting the society's evolution toward institutional permanence following ' precedent of a purpose-built hall in 1856. The Tomb remains in use today, underscoring its enduring role in the society's activities.

Role in Society Functions

The Scroll and Key tomb, located at 444 College Street in , primarily functions as the exclusive venue for the society's internal gatherings, enabling privacy and seclusion essential to its operations. Constructed in 1866 in the Moorish Revival style, the windowless interior spaces facilitate confidential meetings without external observation, a design choice that underscores the society's emphasis on discretion since its early years when members met in rented rooms before acquiring dedicated facilities. Central to these functions are bi-weekly dinners and debates held on Thursday and Sunday evenings, where the fifteen senior members convene to dine, discuss , , and other topics, and deliberate on matters. These sessions, provided at no cost to participants, promote intellectual engagement and lifelong bonds among members, mirroring broader Yale senior practices that have persisted since at least the late . Historical accounts indicate that such gatherings evolved from assemblies in the to structured rituals in the , reinforcing the society's role in cultivating skills through peer interaction rather than formal instruction. Beyond routine meetings, the hosts initiation ceremonies for newly members during the annual Tap Day process, typically in early , where rituals symbolize commitment to the society's values of truth and beauty. occasionally return for commemorative events, though specifics remain guarded; for instance, the 1978 centennial publication by former Yale President highlighted the building's enduring utility in sustaining these traditions amid Yale's evolving campus culture. The facility's opulent interiors, including stained flags and a central reported from rare infiltrations, support symbolic elements that enhance the deliberative atmosphere without public disclosure of proceedings. In the broader Yale context, the tomb's functions contribute to the society's niche as a selective for high-achieving undergraduates, historically influencing university governance—over two-thirds of members from 1872 to 1936 were from Scroll and Key or —by nurturing networks that extend into professional spheres post-graduation. Empirical evidence from membership outcomes, such as disproportionate representation in national leadership roles, suggests these gatherings foster causal pathways to through personal connections rather than overt coordination, countering unsubstantiated claims of undue .

Membership and Selection

Criteria and Process

Membership selection for Scroll and Key occurs annually among Yale's junior class, with current senior members choosing 15 individuals to join the society for their senior year. The process begins in late winter or early spring, typically around February, and culminates in Tap Week and Tap Night in April, where formal offers are extended and accepted publicly on Yale's . Unlike some other Yale senior societies, Scroll and Key does not conduct interviews with prospective members, relying instead on internal deliberations and evaluations by existing members. Each senior member initially nominates four juniors for consideration, generating a preliminary pool that is then narrowed through successive rounds of discussion, often starting with 40 to 80 candidates and reducing to the final 15 via rankings and consensus. Offers may be extended informally starting about a week before , allowing candidates time to decide before the public ceremony. Specific criteria for selection remain undisclosed, as the society's operations are intentionally opaque, but reports indicate a focus on individuals who demonstrate across varied domains, including academics, extracurricular activities, , or personal endeavors, while prioritizing in backgrounds, perspectives, and interests to balance the group's dynamics. Members target specific niches, such as student leaders in groups or sports teams, alongside broader influencers, to assemble a that complements the society's composition. This approach has evolved over time but maintains an emphasis on merit-based distinction without formal applications or public qualifications.

Demographic Composition and Changes

Upon its founding in 1842, Scroll and Key's membership comprised exclusively white male undergraduates from , selected for demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, or extracurricular pursuits, with early members typically hailing from established families of Protestant background. This composition aligned with Yale's overall student body, which until the early enrolled few if any non-Protestants, Catholics, , or racial minorities, maintaining a student population over 95% white and male through selective admissions favoring legacy and elite preparatory school attendees. Yale's transition to coeducation in 1969 introduced women to the undergraduate population, comprising initially about 10% of the class of 1973 and rising to parity by the 1980s, prompting senior societies to adapt amid campus debates on inclusivity. Scroll and Key resisted coeducation longer than some peers but voted to admit women on , 1988, becoming the fifth of Yale's seven landed societies to do so and tapping its inaugural female members the following fall for the class of 1989. Racial and ethnic diversification followed broader shifts in Yale's admissions, which increased non-white enrollment from under 5% in the to over 50% by the through and recruitment efforts. While Scroll and Key discloses no membership statistics, its taps have included prominent non-white alumni such as journalist (class of 1986), reflecting gradual inclusion of minorities predating full coeducation. Recent selections demonstrate ideological breadth, including a leader from Yale's chapter in 2023, indicating reduced homogeneity in socioeconomic and political origins compared to the society's WASP-dominated origins.

Influence and Legacy

Notable Members

Scroll and Key has produced alumni who have achieved prominence in government, medicine, arts, and journalism. , class of 1915, served as U.S. from 1949 to 1953, shaping post-World War II foreign policy including the and formation. Acheson's tenure emphasized of Soviet influence, as detailed in his Present at the Creation. In medicine, Harvey Cushing, class of 1891, pioneered techniques and identified , earning recognition as the father of modern . He performed over 2,000 operations and authored foundational texts like The Pituitary Body and Its Disorders. The society's influence extends to the arts, with composer , class of 1913, creating enduring musicals such as (1948) and (1934), contributing over 500 songs to American theater. Porter's Yale involvement included writing more than 300 songs during his studies. Cartoonist , class of 1970, developed the comic strip, syndicated since 1970 and awarded the for Editorial Cartooning in 1975 for its satirical commentary on politics and society. Trudeau's work has appeared in over 1,000 newspapers worldwide. Journalist , class of 1986, hosts CNN's and authored bestsellers like (2008), analyzing global power shifts with data on economic indicators and geopolitical trends. Zakaria's editorial roles include managing editor at from 1992 to 2000. Writer Calvin Trillin, class of 1957, has published over 20 books, including About Alice (2006), and contributed to The New Yorker since 1963, focusing on food, politics, and personal essays grounded in firsthand observation. Other notable figures include A. Bartlett Giamatti, class of 1960, who served as Yale's 19th president from 1978 to 1986 and Major League Baseball commissioner from 1989 until his death, implementing drug testing policies. Cyrus Vance, class of 1939, acted as U.S. Secretary of State from 1977 to 1980, resigning over the Iran hostage crisis due to opposition to military intervention. These alumni demonstrate the society's historical ties to leadership roles, though individual success stems from personal merit rather than affiliation alone.

Contributions to Leadership and Society

Members of Scroll and Key have occupied prominent roles in American diplomacy and government, shaping key initiatives. , tapped into the society in the class of 1915, served as U.S. from January 21, 1949, to January 20, 1953, exerting significant influence on postwar U.S. , including the design of the in 1947, the in 1948, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1949. Similarly, , a 1939 member, held positions as from 1977 to 1980, Secretary of the Army from 1962 to 1964, and Deputy Secretary of Defense from 1964 to 1967, contributing to and frameworks. In public service and social programs, , admitted in the class of 1938, founded the in 1961 as its first director, launching initiatives that deployed over 15,000 volunteers to 55 countries by 1963 for development and cultural exchange efforts. Shriver also established programs like , Head Start, and under the Office of Economic Opportunity, addressing poverty and education gaps in the U.S. during the 1960s. Contributions extend to medical advancements, with Harvey Cushing, a society member from the class of 1891, pioneering as the first exclusive practitioner of the field. Cushing developed techniques for controlling surgical bleeding using silver clips, advanced electro-surgery, and described in 1912, a pituitary disorder affecting hormone regulation, which laid foundational work for modern and brain surgery. His innovations reduced operative mortality rates in neurosurgical procedures from over 50% to under 10% by the 1920s.

Controversies and Critiques

Allegations of Elitism and Exclusion

Critics of Yale's senior societies, including Scroll and Key, have long alleged that their highly selective membership processes foster by concentrating influence among a narrow subset of students, typically those from privileged socioeconomic backgrounds. Each year, Scroll and Key selects only 15 new members from approximately 1,400 during Tap Day, a public that publicly honors the chosen while implicitly excluding the vast majority, thereby perpetuating perceptions of hierarchy and networking exclusivity. Historically, Scroll and Key's membership was restricted to white Protestant males, mirroring Yale's broader admissions biases until the mid-20th century, which excluded women, racial minorities, and those from non-elite families; this composition reinforced allegations of exclusionary practices designed to consolidate power among establishment figures. The society's tomb-based meetings and lifelong bonds have been characterized as "bastions of ," enabling alumni networks that advantage members in elite professions like , , and , while sidelining others regardless of merit. Such critiques intensified during Tap Day ceremonies, described as epitomes of elitism for their theatrical public tapping, which some view as humiliating to non-selectees and emblematic of arbitrary gatekeeping rather than pure . Although Scroll and Key began admitting women in the late and has since tapped more diverse members—including, in recent years, individuals from leftist political groups—the underlying structure of limited slots continues to invite charges of systemic exclusion, with student publications decrying the societies as anachronistic relics that prioritize legacy and connections over broader representation. These allegations, often voiced in campus media with leanings, argue that even diversified delegations fail to mitigate the inherent advantages conferred to a tiny cohort, though of causation between membership and later success remains correlative rather than definitively causal.

Conspiracy Claims and Empirical Rebuttals

Conspiracy theories surrounding Scroll and Key often portray it as part of a clandestine network, alongside societies like , that secretly orchestrates influence over U.S. government, , and agencies, selecting members to advance hidden agendas such as or elite preservation. These claims, popularized in fringe literature and online forums, allege rituals and oaths bind members to lifelong loyalty, enabling coordinated control, with the society's Moorish Revival "" building symbolizing esoteric power derived from ancient or occult origins. Proponents cite the society's alumni in high positions—such as (class of 1915) or founder (class of 1938)—as evidence of engineered dominance, extending theories from to imply a broader Yale-based influencing events like decisions or corporate mergers. Empirical scrutiny reveals no verifiable evidence of such coordination; archival records and member accounts describe activities as social dinners, debates, and networking events within a clubhouse setting, lacking documentation of policy directives or illicit pacts. Selection occurs via peer nominations from Yale's senior class, prioritizing academic and extracurricular excellence, which naturally yields high-achieving whose successes—predating or independent of membership—stem from individual merit and Yale's rigorous admissions, not post-induction manipulation. For instance, composer (class of 1913) and journalist (class of 1957) leveraged personal talents and pre-society networks, with no causal link to society-driven plots; correlation of elite roles among the roughly 15 annual taps reflects in a talent pool, not causation. Investigations, including alumni publications, dismiss exaggerated influence as cultural myth, noting the society's operations mirror exclusive fraternities elsewhere, with transparency increasing since co-ed admission in 1988 and public member lists undermining secrecy claims. While networking benefits exist—facilitating post-graduation connections akin to associations—these are overt and legal, with no empirical supporting systemic control; quantitative analyses of Yale graduates show leadership distribution aligns with broader patterns, attributable to socioeconomic factors rather than society-specific machinations. Claims of occult ties falter against architectural records confirming the 1902 design as stylistic homage to 19th-century revivalism by architect , devoid of ritualistic function beyond meetings. Overall, narratives, often amplified by non-academic sources with ideological axes, overstate a defunct exclusivity model, as membership demographics have diversified and societal relevance waned amid Yale's evolving culture.

Achievements Countering Criticisms

, a Scroll and Key member from the class of 1915, served as U.S. from 1949 to 1953 and was instrumental in crafting post-World War II policies, including the , which delivered $13.3 billion in economic aid to 16 Western European nations between 1948 and 1952 to prevent communist expansion and facilitate recovery, and the formation of in 1949 as a collective defense alliance. These initiatives stabilized , fostering economic growth averaging 5-6% annually in recipient countries during the plan's implementation and laying groundwork for transatlantic security that endured through the . Sargent , class of 1938, directed the from its inception in 1961 until 1966, enlisting 15,000 volunteers by 1966 to undertake , , and projects in 50 countries, which evolved into a program serving over 240,000 Americans across 140 nations by promoting grassroots development and intercultural understanding. As head of the Office of Economic Opportunity from 1964 to 1966, he oversaw antipoverty initiatives like Head Start, which enrolled 500,000 preschool children by 1966 to address educational disparities, demonstrating measurable impacts on through expanded access to and job training. Shriver's efforts, including co-founding the in 1968, extended public service into disability advocacy, influencing global models for inclusive athletics. In scientific advancement, Harvey Cushing, elected to Scroll and Key during his Yale years circa 1891, established as a distinct specialty, achieving the first complete removal of a pituitary tumor in 1909 and refining operative techniques that lowered intracranial surgery mortality from approximately 50% pre-1900 to 5-10% by the 1920s through innovations like precise and tumor classification. His descriptions of conditions like in 1912 advanced and , while training programs at produced generations of surgeons, contributing to over 2,000 documented brain operations by 1930 with sustained improvements in patient outcomes. The society's direct philanthropy further underscores constructive influence, including a 1917 endowment establishing , which has published over 10,000 titles in humanities and social sciences since inception, and ongoing support for scholarships and prizes like the John Addison Porter Prize awarded annually since 1872 for original research. Such contributions, totaling over $1 million in reported donations by 2014, have bolstered academic accessibility at Yale, evidencing a commitment to intellectual advancement beyond membership exclusivity. These documented legacies in , , , and education empirically refute claims of insular detriment by highlighting causal chains from individual excellence to broader societal gains.

References

  1. [1]
    Collection: Kingsley Trust Association, Yale University, records
    Biographical / Historical. Scroll and Key (incorporated as the Kingsley Trust Association) is a Yale senior society founded in 1841.
  2. [2]
    How the Secret Societies Got That Way (Sept/Oct 04)
    In 1841, Scroll and Key, the second senior society, was founded. Wolf's Head followed in 1883. By the late nineteenth century, the prestige of membership in a ...
  3. [3]
    Secret societies: tombs and tradition - Yale Daily News
    Jun 30, 2002 · The next most famous society is Scroll and Key, with alumni such as Dean Acheson, Cole Porter and Cornelius Vanderbilt. Though not as ...
  4. [4]
    Yale's secret social fabric - Yale Daily News
    Dec 5, 2008 · It was founded by William Kingsley 1843, John Porter and William Huntington, both 1842, who were dissatisfied with the fact that Huntington had ...
  5. [5]
    So secret I can't talk about it — The Yale Daily News 27 May 2009
    May 27, 2009 · SCROLL AND KEY, COLLEGE STREET, 1842 "Keys" was founded by juniors William Kingsley 1843, William Huntington 1843 and senior John Porter 1842.
  6. [6]
    The Public and Private Careers of Dean Acheson - jstor
    At Yale, a haven for eastern elitism, Acheson was a member of the prestigious secret society Scroll and Key, and he never questioned the justness of the ...
  7. [7]
    Dean Acheson Facts - Softschools.com
    Acheson was a member of the secretive and elite Scroll and Key Society at Yale. He was a classmate and friend of Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter. One of ...
  8. [8]
    Cole Porter - Hollywood Walk of Fame
    After this he attended Yale University beginning in 1909, where he was a member of Scroll and Key and Delta Kappa Epsilon and sang both in the Yale Glee ...
  9. [9]
    The origins of the tomb | Features - Yale Alumni Magazine
    The tomb would have many followers: first Delta Kappa Epsilon, with a windowless, two-story, red brick building in 1861; later Scroll and Key, with the ...
  10. [10]
    Yale, Skull and Bones, and the beginnings of Johns Hopkins - PMC
    Both Gilman and Welch belonged to Skull and Bones, while Harvey Cushing was a member of Scroll and Key and may have turned down a tap from Bones.
  11. [11]
    [PDF] Yale's Extracurricular & Social Organizations, 1780-1960 - EliScholar
    Scroll and Key. (Kingsley Trust Association). Quarters: 1. 4th floor of Leffingwell Building on cor- ner of Church and Court Streets, 1847. 2. Built present ...
  12. [12]
    The Hidden Curriculum | The New Journal
    Apr 1, 2002 · the finer sentiments of the soul. Mack describes how the liberal arts were folded into Yale's academic curriculum, and as Scroll and Key became ...
  13. [13]
    Scroll and Key Society Building | SAH ARCHIPEDIA
    Scroll and Key, legally known as the Kingsley Trust Association, was founded in 1842 after disputes arose among members of Yale's first fraternity, Skull and ...
  14. [14]
    Tomb raiders: The clubhouses of Yale's secret societies - Curbed
    Jun 21, 2018 · From Skull and Bone to Scroll and Key and Berzelius, these clubhouses—referred to as tombs—are some of the most mysterious and intriguing ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  15. [15]
    The Secret Societies of Yale - American Matters - WordPress.com
    Scroll and Key (1842). Scroll and Key is the second oldest student secret society at Yale University. Like Skull and Bones, they also have their own building, ...
  16. [16]
    Theron Rockwell Field and the John Addison Porter prize competitions
    The award was established in 1872 by the Kingsley Trust Association (The Scroll and Key Society) in honor of the late Professor Porter, who received a bachelor ...Missing: founder | Show results with:founder
  17. [17]
    Yale societies & publications (March 2001) - Yale Alumni Magazine
    Bones and its rivals Scroll and Key (1841) and Wolf's Head (1883) fairly earned the title “secret” societies in their early years, but in the late 19th ...<|separator|>
  18. [18]
    Skull and Bones and Equity and Inclusion - The Atlantic
    Jan 11, 2024 · One of the leaders of Yale's Democratic Socialists of America chapter joined Scroll and Key, one of the oldest secret societies, last year.
  19. [19]
    The World's Most Powerful Secret Societies - 24/7 Wall St.
    Aug 6, 2023 · This encountered some opposition from alumni until Scroll and Key member and then-Yale President A. Bartlett Giamatti, the former Major ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  20. [20]
    A Timeline of Women at Yale - 50WomenAtYale150 |
    March 1988. The secret society Scroll and Key votes to go coed. Skull and Bones considers accepting women, but decides not to do so. October 1988.
  21. [21]
    SECRET SOCIETY MOVES TO ADMIT WOMEN
    Jun 10, 1991 · The oldest of the senior societies at Yale, it is one of only two that have not admitted women since the Ivy League school went coeducational in ...
  22. [22]
    Open secrets | Features | Yale Alumni Magazine
    It's nothing new for the campus to sprout a few “underground” societies in addition to the seven older ones. (The seven are Skull and Bones, Scroll and Key, ...
  23. [23]
    Behind tomb doors: Yale's society tap process - Yale Daily News
    Feb 28, 2024 · Selected by current members of each society, rising seniors can be 'tapped' to potentially secure a spot in one of more than 55 of these ...
  24. [24]
    The evolution of Tap Night - Yale Daily News
    Apr 17, 2009 · Both Scroll and Key and Skull and Bones whisked off juniors in swanky black limos. ... The process can last weeks, giving rising seniors ...
  25. [25]
    YALE'S FINEST HOURS | News - The Harvard Crimson
    Mar 18, 1999 · Each year, senior members of the societies "tap" 15 members of the junior class to be members for the following year. Considering there are only ...<|separator|>
  26. [26]
    The choice is yours - Yale Daily News
    Feb 24, 2017 · The first and best-known, Skull and Bones, was founded in 1833, followed by Scroll and Key in 1841, and Wolf's Head in 1883.
  27. [27]
    Tapping in to Yale's secret societies | UWire
    Mar 30, 2012 · The nine “landed” societies meet in tombs, windowless and imposing, that are scattered around Yale's campus but don't fall under its ownership.
  28. [28]
    THE SOCIETY SYSTEM. — The Yale Daily News 5 December 2008
    Dec 5, 2008 · Scroll and Key, the second senior society, was created in June 1842. ... A ROSTER OF THE FIRST TWELVE CLASSES OF "SCULL AND BONES." Yale ...
  29. [29]
    File:Secret Society Buildings New Haven.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
    Jan 26, 2012 · ... Street, south of Elm Street. Bottom: Scroll and Key (Kingsley Trust Association), 490 College Street. Alice Donlevy was the author of a book ...
  30. [30]
    What is the architectural style of Yale's Scroll and Key building?
    Jul 7, 2022 · Scroll and Key building at Yale “The society's "building" was designed in the Moorish Revival style by Richard Morris Hunt and constructed in ...Yale University Scroll and Key Senior Society Building ArchitectureSkull and Bones Secret Society Building at Yale University in New ...More results from www.facebook.com
  31. [31]
    Scroll & Key - Ninth House Wiki - Fandom
    Scroll and Key was established by John Addison Porter, with aid from several members of the Class of 1842 (including Leonard Case Jr. and Theodore Runyon) and a ...Book Information · History · Real World Information
  32. [32]
    'TAP DAY': FADING BIT OF OLD YALE - The New York Times
    Apr 16, 1982 · And today, ''tap day,'' when new members are surreptitiously selected, many students seemed more interested in the impending deadline for senior ...
  33. [33]
    Secret Societies of Yale University - Journey Thru My Lens
    Nov 30, 2012 · ... Scroll and Keys secret society. This society was founded in 1843 over disputes involving elections to the Skull and Bones. ... Opposite 227 Grove ...<|separator|>
  34. [34]
    Tap secrets of Yale societies - Yale Daily News
    Apr 12, 2002 · Some of the more prominent societies, like Scroll and Key, are rumored never to hold interviews at all, simply narrowing down their selection ...
  35. [35]
    The Comprehensive College Guide to Secret Societies - Hi's Eye
    Mar 24, 2025 · Recruitment: Selection process is kept secret, but students are inducted through a tapping ceremony; Requirements: Upperclassmen only; Notable ...
  36. [36]
    Yale Secret Society to Admit Women | News - The Harvard Crimson
    Mar 19, 1988 · Yale University's Scroll and Key will become the fifth of the school's seven secret societies to go co-ed when it takes in its first women members next fall.Missing: minorities | Show results with:minorities
  37. [37]
    Harvey Cushing: A Journey Through His Life · Education
    ... Scroll and Key, and served on committees to plan Class of '91 special ... Harvey Williams Cushing Papers. Harvey Cushing as a sophomore at Yale. Harvey ...
  38. [38]
    Harvey Cushing: The New Haven Years | Neurosurgery | Oxford ...
    ... Yale University. One ... Harvey Cushing's New Haven years were among his happiest, for he knew Yale ... Scroll and Key Society can still be seen hanging ...<|separator|>
  39. [39]
    Cole Porter - The Official Masterworks Broadway Site
    There he was extremely active musically and extremely popular socially, president of the Glee Club, a member of the Whiffenpoofs and Scroll-and-Key, voted “most ...
  40. [40]
    For Trudeau, road to comic fame began on York Street
    a member of Scroll and Key — was ...
  41. [41]
    Garry Trudeau - Lambiek Comiclopedia
    Garry Trudeau ... He also organized several cultural events during this time with the Record, and he was a member of Yale's secret Scroll and Key society.
  42. [42]
    Trustee Zakaria '86 found his niche at Yale - Yale Daily News
    Feb 14, 2006 · More than 20 years ago, Fareed Zakaria '86 flipped a coin in Bombay, India. ... A member of the secret society Scroll and Key, Zakaria said ...
  43. [43]
    Universally Experienced: Yale's Fareed Zakaria's Amazing Journey ...
    Nov 1, 2021 · Fareed Zakaria ... In particular, he became a member of the University's secret society Scroll and Key and its debate society Party of the Right.
  44. [44]
    Calvin Trillin on the Importance of Parenting with Humor - Literary Hub
    Feb 18, 2021 · Calvin Trillin on the Importance of Parenting with Humor. In ... Scroll and Key before graduating in 1957; he later served as a ...
  45. [45]
    Dean Gooderham Acheson (1893–1971) - Office of the Historian
    Dean Gooderham Acheson served as Secretary of State from January 21, 1949, through January 20, 1953, and exerted significant influence on US foreign policy ...Missing: Scroll achievements
  46. [46]
    THE CABINET: The Man from Middletown - Time Magazine
    Dean was also a member of the socially select Scroll & Key and of a number of other assorted clubs such as the Turtles, the Grill Room Grizzlies, the Hogans, ...
  47. [47]
    Cyrus R. and Grace Sloane Vance papers - Archives at Yale
    While an undergraduate, he was a member of Scroll and Key, the Torch Honor Society, the hockey team, and the Fence Club. He continued his studies at the ...
  48. [48]
    SHRIVER DIES AT 95 - Yale Daily News
    Jan 19, 2011 · Robert Sargent Shriver '38 LAW '41, a pioneer for public service who revolutionized community participation in America as a founder of the Peace Corps and the ...
  49. [49]
    Sargent Shriver and his Peace Corps guerrillas - Pieces of History
    Jan 19, 2011 · Robert Sargent Shriver (1915–2011) lived a long and full life, fighting in World War II as a gunner on a Navy boat during the the Battle of Guadalcanal.
  50. [50]
    Harvey Cushing: A Life in Surgery - PMC - NIH
    His many contributions included the control of bleeding with silver clips, the development of electro-surgery and the development of technical methods for ...
  51. [51]
    The life and work of Harvey Cushing 1869–1939: A pioneer of ... - NIH
    Perhaps his most enduring contribution to clinical medicine is Cushing Syndrome, described in 1932. It was Cushing himself who deftly realized the collective ...
  52. [52]
    Didn't Get Tapped for a Society? Here Are Six ... - Yale Daily News
    Apr 20, 2018 · Everyone knows that Yale's secret society system is an elitist, exclusionary anachronism, but that doesn't make it any easier when you get ...
  53. [53]
    Inside Yale's Secret Societies | The Harvard Voice - WordPress.com
    Jan 2, 2012 · Secret societies at Yale are generally made up of only 15 members (boys and girls) of the senior class, chosen in April of their junior year on something ...
  54. [54]
    chosen for an elite secret society -- 11/19/21 - Delancey Place
    Nov 19, 2021 · "Just after five p.m. on May 12, 1912, one of the last men tapped for Skull and Bones was the lanky, handsome and reserved W. Averell Harriman, ...
  55. [55]
    BAYULGEN & DANIEL: For the Ancient Eight and beyond, diversity ...
    Feb 9, 2024 · ... Yale's elitist traditions. According to Rose Horowitch, a Yale graduate and former Editor in Chief of the News, these societies have in ...
  56. [56]
    9 of the Most Exclusive University Secret Societies - Spyscape
    Among the 40 or so Yale societies, Scroll and Key are one of wealthiest, according to their tax filing, with more than $12m in assets under the Kingsley Trust ...<|separator|>
  57. [57]
    Famous Scroll and Key Members - Ranker
    Yale's Scroll and Key society was founded in 1842. Since then many notable figures have claimed membership. The composer Cole Porter attended Yale in 1909 and ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
  58. [58]
    A look inside Yale's secret societies — and why they may no longer ...
    Sep 28, 2017 · Yale's secret societies have long been in decline. They no longer have the cultural cachet they enjoyed in the days of John O'Hara and Dink Stover.Missing: demographics | Show results with:demographics
  59. [59]
  60. [60]
    How do 'secret societies' like Skull & Bones impact ... - Quora
    Jun 2, 2025 · Can they actually control the world or have a significant impact on society as some conspiracy theories claim? ... Scroll and Key”. You're “sworn ...Do the students from the Ivy League and, especially, Yale, know ...How much influence does the skull and bones fraternity have over ...More results from www.quora.com<|separator|>
  61. [61]
    Sargent Shriver: A Man Of Public Service - NPR
    Jan 19, 2011 · Sargent Shriver, the founding director of the Peace Corps and the architect of President Johnson's War on Poverty, died on Tuesday.
  62. [62]
    1915-2011 - Sargent Shriver Peace Institute
    In a career of public service and civic leadership spanning the second half of the 20th century, Robert Sargent Shriver, Jr. (“Sarge”) confronted a range of ...
  63. [63]
    Harvey Cushing: Surgeon, Author, Soldier, Historian 1869-1939
    Aug 17, 2020 · John RaffenspergerFort Meyers, Florida, United States Harvey Cushing ... He was elected to the Scroll and Key Honor Society and graduated from ...
  64. [64]
    Secret societies: tombs or vaults? - Yale Daily News
    filed under the name Kingsley Trust Association — with total assets of $10,771,828. A list of the seven ...Missing: traditions | Show results with:traditions