Friars Senior Society

Founded in 1901 by Daniel Keller, Friars Senior Society is one of several senior societies at the University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...

. It was founded to protest cliques and strive against caddishness and snobbery, and to establish uncompromising democracy in University activities. Friars promotes interaction between those from all walks of life who have given their time and energies to making the University what it is; hence, the name Friars, for those who sacrifice their time during college to meaningful activities.

Each Friar senior class is composed of student leaders 'tapped' during the spring of their junior leaders year (where it accepts at least 20 into the society), and another 10 or so senior leaders taken in the fall. Membership is intentionally drawn from all walks of campus: the only common thread is that everyone in the society are top leaders and contribute to the Penn community. Typically, the group consists of about 1/3 athletic captains or otherwise excellent players, 1/3 performing arts leaders, and 1/3 Greek, Government, Publications and Community Service leaders. Members support each other throughout the year through attendance at shows and events and they perform various community service projects during their senior year as well. It first admitted women in the spring of 1971.

Once Friars graduate, they still remain active in the organization. Friars receive regular Friar communication throughout the year and have half a dozen Friar alumni events they can attend which is why they are considered the most active group of its kind at Penn. As of 2008, the Friars Alumni Association numbered over 1850 worldwide and is governed by the Friars Graduate Board.

Famous Friars include:
Ed Rendell

Ed Rendell

Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...

 (Governor of Pennsylvania),
Harold Ford (Tennessee Congressman),
Fran Dunphy

Fran Dunphy

Fran Dunphy is an American college basketball coach. He is currently the head men's basketball coach at Temple University. He succeeded John Chaney in 2006.- Coaching career :...

 (Temple basketball coach),
David Montgomery

David Montgomery

David Montgomery is Farnam Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University. Montgomery is considered one of the foremost academics specializing in United States labor history and has written extensively on the subject. Along with David Brody and Herbert Gutman, he is credited with founding the...

(President, Philadelphia Phillies)