The Sphinx Senior Society was founded by a group of prominent undergraduates in 1900, making it the oldest honor society at the University of Pennsylvania. The society was created with the fundamental purpose of furthering all Penn traditions, customs, and ideals. The membership was originally confined largely to athletes because of their recognized clean and able spirit. But it was soon realized that other individuals may also possess the same qualities, leading Sphinx to begin inducting those who have attained recognition in any worthy field at the University. In February of 1971, Sphinx broke a long-standing tradition by inducting women into their ranks.

Founded as a service organization, early members of Sphinx served as official advisors to the administration. Distinguishable from the rest of the student body by the black skullcaps they wore every Tuesday, Sphinx members engaged in activities that included proctoring exams, supervising class elections, presenting chapel services, orienting the freshman class, conducting smokers, as well as being referees in the annual freshman-sophomore class battles.

The desire and ability of Sphinx members to raise classroom standards and interest the undergraduate body in student activities led them to hold an annual competition between the fraternities, the winner receiving the Sphinx Plaque signifying outstanding achievement in scholastic work and campus activities. The society also presented the Sphinx Award to the outstanding student organization of that academic year. For many years, Sphinx members devoted their time to contacting local prep school students with the purpose of introducing them to Penn. They would sponsor trips to athletic and social functions on campus for these students with the hopes of arousing interest in the University.

Sphinx not only sought to better the University of Pennsylvania, but made efforts to recognize the achievements of those from other colleges. For many years, the group would host a Winter Dinner honoring distinguished guests from universities around the country, including Harvard, Dartmouth, Columbia, and the University of Wisconsin.

Other notable accomplishments of Sphinx classes of past years included: presenting the Dorizas Trophy to the outstanding high school performer in the Penn Relays, digging out the storm-ravaged community of Sea Isle, NJ, and raising over a thousand dollars for the CARE Committee of Greater Philadelphia.

Such activities served well the purposes of the Sphinx Senior Society--to stimulate a whole-hearted and deep-rooted interest in bettering the University of Pennsylvania.

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The Present

Today, Sphinx continues the tradition of recognizing seniors who have made significant contributions to the university. The society has come to represent all facets of university life and has reflected the changing face of Penn's student body. Members today include leaders in student government, performing arts, media, service groups, cultural organizations, Greek life, athletics, and other realms of student affairs. An extensive alumni network has developed over the decades, which allows Sphinx members to not only communicate with each other well beyond graduation, but to also interact with past Sphinx generations.

An assembly of Penn's current student leaders, Sphinx provides a unique opportunity for its members to come together and effect positive changes at Penn and Philadelphia. The network established amongst the membership facilitates discussion and interaction between the members' respective organizations, allowing for innovative joint projects and community services.

Social events are also a part of the society's activities, which include happy hours, barbecues, a formal, and lunch with the Univeristy President. In the past, the group has taken trips to Washington D.C. and the Penn Club in New York City. In addition, members attend each other's events and performances, to both show support for fellow Sphinges and to develop camaraderie amongst the membership.

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Membership

The Sphinx Senior Society is self-perpetuating --every spring, each current member personally invites individuals from the junior class to apply for membership. These prospectives, all of whom have in some way served the University through their extracurricular activities, have an opportunity to learn more about the society, meet current Sphinx members, and pick up an application at an informal smoker. The seniors then select the members of the next Sphinx class based on their achievement, leadership, commitment, and character. There is also an opportunity for individuals to be inducted in the fall of their senior year through an identical rush process, so long as the total membership of the society each year does not exceed thirty.

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