Eli Banana
Encyclopedia
The Eli Banana Ribbon Society is the oldest secret society
at the University of Virginia
. Founded in 1878 as a way to encourage the fraternities to engage more directly in the life of the University, the aim of the society was to bring its members to leadership in the University community and to "create an association of congenial spirits among the students."
While initially successful in dominating various student organizations, including the Jefferson Society, the Football Board, and the social scene, the organization took on a more lax tone over the succeeding years and became most famous for its "bacchanalian" Easter parades with which the elections of new members were marked. The early period of the society was ultimately marked with its censure by the faculty in 1894, when the faculty demanded that the members sever their ties with the organization in writing and pledge not to rejoin, or forfeit their diplomas. While the group was later reconstituted on direct appeal to the Board of Visitors, it never reclaimed the hold it had over the University's student life; as it waned, several other student societies, including T.I.L.K.A. and the Zeta Society (later the Z Society
), took a more prominent role in University life.
Eli Banana has remained active since its reconstitution in 1897, most recently establishing the Eli Banana Fund, which has donated to various restoration and new building projects around the University since its inception in 2003.
Notable members of the society included University mathematics professor William "Reddy" Echols
and University Rector and Board of Visitors member Armistead C. Gordon
.
Secret Societies at the University of Virginia
Secret societies have been a part of University of Virginia student life since the first class of students in 1825. While the number of societies peaked during the 75 year period between 1875 and 1950, there are still five societies active that are over 100 years old, and several newer societies...
at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. Founded in 1878 as a way to encourage the fraternities to engage more directly in the life of the University, the aim of the society was to bring its members to leadership in the University community and to "create an association of congenial spirits among the students."
While initially successful in dominating various student organizations, including the Jefferson Society, the Football Board, and the social scene, the organization took on a more lax tone over the succeeding years and became most famous for its "bacchanalian" Easter parades with which the elections of new members were marked. The early period of the society was ultimately marked with its censure by the faculty in 1894, when the faculty demanded that the members sever their ties with the organization in writing and pledge not to rejoin, or forfeit their diplomas. While the group was later reconstituted on direct appeal to the Board of Visitors, it never reclaimed the hold it had over the University's student life; as it waned, several other student societies, including T.I.L.K.A. and the Zeta Society (later the Z Society
Z Society
The Z Society is a philanthropic organization that was founded at the University of Virginia in 1892. It comprises outstanding student leaders who give time, talent, and financial contributions to groups and individuals that exemplify the spirit of the society and uphold the ideals of the university...
), took a more prominent role in University life.
Eli Banana has remained active since its reconstitution in 1897, most recently establishing the Eli Banana Fund, which has donated to various restoration and new building projects around the University since its inception in 2003.
Notable members of the society included University mathematics professor William "Reddy" Echols
William Holding Echols
William Holding Echols , generally called "Reddy" Echols, was a professor of mathematics at the University of Virginia. The Echols Scholars Program is named in his honor....
and University Rector and Board of Visitors member Armistead C. Gordon
Armistead C. Gordon
Armistead Churchill Gordon was a Virginia lawyer and a prolific writer of prose and poetry.-Background:Gordon was the son of George Loyall and Mary Long Gordon, as well as the grandson and biographer of William F. Gordon...
.