Sigma Society

The Sigma Society is a secret senior society at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.[1] Founded around 1880, it is the oldest society in operation at the university.[1][2]

For the fictional society, see The Bye-Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case.
Sigma Society
Σ
Founded1880
Washington and Lee University
TypeSecret senior society
ScopeLocal
Chapters1
NicknameSigma, Washington Society
HeadquartersLexington, Virginia
United States

History

The Sigma Society was founded at Washington and Lee University in 1880. It was considered a senior ribbon society.[3] Its membership typcally consists of twelve to fifteen students.[1][3]

Though qualifications for membership are not published, members historically consistently comprised the top students on the campus, rated by overall strength rather than academics.[4][1] In its early decades, the society's members were mostly athletes.[1]

In December 1996, the Ring-tum Phi student newspaper reported that the Sigma Society had a reputation for hazing that was often worse than that of the campus fraternities.[5]

Symbols and traditions

The society's symbol is the Greek capital letter Sigma (Σ).[1] Its members received a button bearing the Σ.[6] The Sigma was also branded on the stomach or right groin of members.[1] Jane Horton-Marcella, campus student health physician, wrote a letter to the student newspaper in November 1988, noting that Sigma Society was branding its initiates; she had assisted two students the prior year with infections from this branding.[7]

The society's annual initiation ceremony takes place on George Washington's birthday—February, 22.[3][8] The organization is often referred to as the "Washington Society."[9]

The "P.A.M.O.L.A. R.Y.E." emblem that is often found inscribed on chairs, desks, and in bathroom stalls throughout the university campus and greater Lexington area is related to the society and was referenced in the group's yearbook page in 1974.[10]

Activities

Although the society's membership is public, the inner workings of the group remain unknown. In the early 20th century, the group held well-attended balls annually, including its annual German (a formal dance) and its Easter Ball.[11][12] It had a reputation as a "campus drinking and socializing club" according to William Renquist, former chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.[13] However, a rocky relationship with the administration forced the group to remove itself from active university participation in the 1930s.[14]

The Sigma Society donated a plaque to the university to commemorate two alumni who died in World War I: Clovis Moomaw, a member of the Law School Class of 1912, and James Arthur Lingle Jr., Law School Class of 1915.[15] The bronze plaque was originally installed in Lee Chapel but was moved to Washington and Lee’s Memorial Gateway in October 2022.[15]

Sigma Cabin

Historically, Sigma Society met in the Sigma Cabin on campus. The university paid the Sigma Society $15,000 ($29616 in today's money) when it tore down the Sigma Cabin in 1994. The university needed the land to build the Telford Science Library.

A plaque at the Telford Science Library commemorates the former Sigma Cabin, reading: "Near this site stood the cabin which, for more than sixty years, was the meeting place for members of the Sigma Society…Founded in 1880, the Sigma Society is one of the oldest, continuous social organizations at W&L."[2]

Prominent members

See also

References
  1. Carrere, John. (4 October 1966) "History of W&L Secret Clubs," Ring-tum Phi, vol. LXVII, no. 8., p.2. via Washington and Lee University, accessed August 18, 2023.
  2. Sigma Plaque, installed in 1994, outside the science library at Washington and Lee University, in Lexington, Virginia.
  3. "Sigma Society Elects Members" (PDF). Ring-tum Phi. Vol. 14, no. 15. February 14, 1911. p. 6 – via Washington and Lee University.
  4. "Sigma Announces Six Goats," Ring-tum Phi, Washington and Lee University, 8 February 1916, p.5.
  5. Prossner, Erica (December 6, 1996). "Secret Society Hazing Ignored". Ring-tum Phi. Vol. 98, no. 13. p. 1. hdl:11021/32075 – via Washington and Lee University.
  6. "Sigma 'Goats' in Evidence," Ring-tum Phi, vol. 18, no. 15, February 2, 1915, p. 4. via Washington and Lee University,
  7. Horton-Marcella, Jane (November 3, 1988). "Sigma Society - A Burning Issue" (PDF). Ring-tum Phi. Vol. 88, no. 8. p. 2 – via Washington and Lee University.
  8. "Sigma Initiation Washington's Birthday," Ring-tum Phi, Washington and Lee University, 2 March 1910, p. 4.
  9. "Sigma Celebration," Ring-tum Phi, Washington and Lee University, 1 March 1909, p.3.
  10. "Calyx Yearbook". e-yearbook.com. Lexington, Virginia: Washington and Lee University -. 1974. p. 79. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  11. "Sigma Society Held Banquet on Monday," Ring-tum Phi, Washington and Lee University, 26 April 1924, p. 3.
  12. "Finals Program Offers Many New Attractions" (PDF). Ring-tum Phi. Vol. 28, no. 57. May 13, 1925. p. 1 – via Washington and Lee University.
  13. Rehnquist, William H. (1999). "A Tribute to Lewis F. Powell, Jr". Washington and Lee Law Review. 56 (1): 21.
  14. "Sigma Probe," Ring-tum Phi, Washington and Lee University, 6 March 1936, p.1.
  15. Goodwin, Kelsey (2022-10-25). "New Plaques Dedicated at the Memorial Gateway". The Columns. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  16. "Dick Boisseau NFL Stats and Bio - Pro Football Archives". www.profootballarchives.com. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  17. "1930's Football". Rappahannock Record. 23 November 1988. p. 34 – via Virginia Chronicle (Library of Virginia).
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