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St. Elmo (secret society)
Encyclopedia
St. Elmo Society is a secret society
at Yale University
. It was founded in 1889 as an independent entity for seniors within the nationally chartered fraternity, Delta Phi
(ΔΦ), Omicron Chapter (1889-1925).
, which from 1854-1956, was the sciences and engineering college of Yale University. St. Elmo's Sheffield predecessors Berzelius (1848) and Book and Snake
(1863) both still exist today. Like the other Sheffield Societies, the building was once populated by admitted members from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes, who maintained separate residential quarters within the tomb. St. Elmo became a secret society in the traditional sense of Skull and Bones
(1832), Scroll and Key
(1841), and Wolf's Head
(1883), which had selected its members from the Academic Department (the liberal arts college), in 1965, long after the Sheffield Scientific School had been gradually integrated into Yale College — from the end of World War I
through 1956. While some Sheffield Organizations sold their buildings in the 1930s as the residential college system was established in 1933, others, such as St. Elmo, continued to flourish, incorporating itself as the Rhinelander Trust Association, Inc. St. Elmo also claims it is the sixth oldest senior society on campus, although Elihu
(1903) also argues they lay claim to that spot. In fact, St. Elmo's change to being senior society in 1965 means it actually is the eighth oldest above-ground senior society. In addition, the Society claims it was the first to admit women into the delegation. Manuscript
and Elihu
, two other senior societies, and St. Anthony Hall
, a three-year society, both vie for that distinction as well.
Furthermore, St. Elmo Society was an unincorporated association within Delta Phi from 1889 until June 1905. While still an entity within Delta Phi, the Society filed with Connecticut Secretary of State to form the St. Elmo Corporation, with the primary purpose of holding the title to the property, the building, and all financial assets. In July 1925, the Omicron Chapter of Delta Phi, and, in turn, the Society, severed its ties with the national fraternity and became an independent organization. At the end of 1956, due to clerical errors, the Corporation lost its incorporation status; however, in 1964, the Society refiled successfully as St. Elmo Incorporated.
The Society’s original Club House, located at 111 Grove Street, was built in 1895. In 1912, St. Elmo Hall, which was constructed from designs of Kenneth M. Murchison
, was erected on the adjacent property of 109 Grove Street. It is said that aspects reminiscent of an Elizabethan manor house inspired Kenneth's architectural details.
Beginning in 1945, the University leased the upper part of the building from the Society for dormitory facilities and eventually purchased the Hall from Elmo’s in 1962. Yale then leased sizable space to the Society with the understanding that the University would continue to do so because of the Club’s historical significance to the College. However, in 1985, the St. Elmo delegation was denied renewal of the lease by the University, and was left with little time to move out and no relocation site.
Today, renamed Rosenfeld Hall, the building is used for residential annex and classroom space. Most unfortunately, the majority of the cryptic and historic areas are now used for furniture storage or have been boarded up.
In 1986, St. Elmo reestablished a new location on Lynwood Place. Today, like other “landed” or “above-ground” societies that are run by private organizations, St. Elmo Society, Inc. owns the property and continues to improve the tomb's architecture.
The secret society network is a significant facet of the many traditions on Yale's campus. St. Elmo prides itself on being one of the older societies, and one that provides its members with a culture that fosters personal growth. Within its diverse membership, St. Elmo Society embodies principles of family whereby every member, both current and past, are connected through a common experience. Accountability, open-mindedness, and respect are among a few of the copious attributes the Society impresses upon its members to instill in one and other.
Delegations are selected from the entire junior class pool based on students' scholastic standing, his or her seriousness of purpose, maturity, individuality, and other achievements at the University as well as representation of the different backgrounds and interests in each class.
The main goal of the Corporation, as it is also referred to as, is to provide supplementary education to its members through various activities and interactions. It is the hope that these methods will inspire new meaning to the students' Yale education. In return, the delegation must commit itself to by-laws, rules, and guidelines set forth by the Corporation's Board of Governors.
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. It was founded in 1889 as an independent entity for seniors within the nationally chartered fraternity, Delta Phi
Delta Phi
Delta Phi is a fraternity founded in 1827 at Union College in Schenectady, New York. Founded as part of the Union Triad, along with the Kappa Alpha Society and Sigma Phi Society, Delta Phi was the third and last member of the Triad...
(ΔΦ), Omicron Chapter (1889-1925).
History
Founded in 1889, ‘Elmo’s’, as many refer to it, was the third senior society to be established in the Sheffield Scientific SchoolSheffield Scientific School
Sheffield Scientific School was founded in 1847 as a school of Yale College in New Haven, Connecticut for instruction in science and engineering. Originally named the Yale Scientific School, it was renamed in 1861 in honor of Joseph E. Sheffield, the railroad executive. The school was...
, which from 1854-1956, was the sciences and engineering college of Yale University. St. Elmo's Sheffield predecessors Berzelius (1848) and Book and Snake
Book and Snake
The Society of Book and Snake is the fourth oldest secret society at Yale University. Book and Snake was founded at the Sheffield Scientific School in 1863 as a three-year society bearing the Greek letters Sigma Delta Chi...
(1863) both still exist today. Like the other Sheffield Societies, the building was once populated by admitted members from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes, who maintained separate residential quarters within the tomb. St. Elmo became a secret society in the traditional sense of Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones is an undergraduate senior or secret society at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. It is a traditional peer society to Scroll and Key and Wolf's Head, as the three senior class 'landed societies' at Yale....
(1832), Scroll and Key
Scroll and Key
The Scroll and Key Society is a secret society, founded in 1842 at Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut. It is the wealthiest and second oldest Yale secret society...
(1841), and Wolf's Head
Wolf's Head (secret society)
Wolf's Head Society is an undergraduate senior or secret society at Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. Membership is recomposed annually of fifteen or sixteen Yale University students, typically juniors from the college...
(1883), which had selected its members from the Academic Department (the liberal arts college), in 1965, long after the Sheffield Scientific School had been gradually integrated into Yale College — from the end of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
through 1956. While some Sheffield Organizations sold their buildings in the 1930s as the residential college system was established in 1933, others, such as St. Elmo, continued to flourish, incorporating itself as the Rhinelander Trust Association, Inc. St. Elmo also claims it is the sixth oldest senior society on campus, although Elihu
Elihu (secret society)
Elihu, founded in 1903, is the sixth oldest secret society at Yale University, New Haven, CT. While similar to Skull and Bones, Scroll and Key and Wolf's Head societies in charter and function, Elihu favors privacy over overt secrecy...
(1903) also argues they lay claim to that spot. In fact, St. Elmo's change to being senior society in 1965 means it actually is the eighth oldest above-ground senior society. In addition, the Society claims it was the first to admit women into the delegation. Manuscript
Manuscript Society
Manuscript Society is a senior secret society at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Toward the end of each junior year, 16 undergraduates are "tapped" to be inducted into the society, which meets twice weekly for dinner and discussion...
and Elihu
Elihu (secret society)
Elihu, founded in 1903, is the sixth oldest secret society at Yale University, New Haven, CT. While similar to Skull and Bones, Scroll and Key and Wolf's Head societies in charter and function, Elihu favors privacy over overt secrecy...
, two other senior societies, and St. Anthony Hall
St. Anthony Hall
St. Anthony Hall, also known as Saint Anthony Hall and The Order of St. Anthony, is a national college literary society also known as the Fraternity of Delta Psi at colleges in the United States of America. St...
, a three-year society, both vie for that distinction as well.
Architect of the building
Kenneth MacKenzie Murchison
Kenneth MacKenzie Murchison was a U.S. architect. He was born in New York City in 1872 and died in New York in 1938.Murchison graduated from Columbia University in 1894 and from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France, in 1900...
, was erected on the adjacent property of 109 Grove Street. It is said that aspects reminiscent of an Elizabethan manor house inspired Kenneth's architectural details.
Beginning in 1945, the University leased the upper part of the building from the Society for dormitory facilities and eventually purchased the Hall from Elmo’s in 1962. Yale then leased sizable space to the Society with the understanding that the University would continue to do so because of the Club’s historical significance to the College. However, in 1985, the St. Elmo delegation was denied renewal of the lease by the University, and was left with little time to move out and no relocation site.
Today, renamed Rosenfeld Hall, the building is used for residential annex and classroom space. Most unfortunately, the majority of the cryptic and historic areas are now used for furniture storage or have been boarded up.
In 1986, St. Elmo reestablished a new location on Lynwood Place. Today, like other “landed” or “above-ground” societies that are run by private organizations, St. Elmo Society, Inc. owns the property and continues to improve the tomb's architecture.
Mission
Delegations are selected from the entire junior class pool based on students' scholastic standing, his or her seriousness of purpose, maturity, individuality, and other achievements at the University as well as representation of the different backgrounds and interests in each class.
The main goal of the Corporation, as it is also referred to as, is to provide supplementary education to its members through various activities and interactions. It is the hope that these methods will inspire new meaning to the students' Yale education. In return, the delegation must commit itself to by-laws, rules, and guidelines set forth by the Corporation's Board of Governors.
Membership
Notable members include:- Harry Valette Day (1895), President, manager, and first member of the Board of Directors of Custer Consolidated Mining Company, which in 1913 merged with the adjacent Tamarack & Chesapeake Mining Company, forming the Tamarack & Custer Consolidated Mining Company
- Charles James FreebornCharles James FreebornCharles James Freeborn was a graduate of Yale University in 1899, where he was a member of the St. Elmo Society. He was one of the earliest Yale men to volunteer for active service in World War I. He was a Captain in the United States Army, and a recipient of the Croix de Guerre from the French for...
(1899), Croix de GuerreCroix de guerreThe Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
recipient for his service in World War I and Captain in the United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services... - Guy HutchinsonGuy HutchinsonGuy Hutchinson was an American businessman.Hutchinson was born in New York City, and later moved to New Jersey. He was a graduate of Yale University in 1906. While attending the University, Guy was a star quarterback, which earned him the honor of All-American in 1905, as well as a member of St....
(1906), President of Proctor & Schwartz Electric Company, which merged with Silex Company to form Proctor SilexProctor SilexProctor Silex Co. was created in 1960 with the merger of Proctor Electric and Silex Corporation. In 1990 Proctor Silex merged with Hamilton Beach.The company made electrical household appliances, and is probably best known for its toasters....
in 1960; he was also an All-American FootballCollege Football All-America TeamThe College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
quarterback, 1905 - Arthur Harding Bosworth (1908), Founder and President of Bosworth, Chanute, Loughridge & Co, which eventually merged with RBC Wealth ManagementRoyal Bank of CanadaThe Royal Bank of Canada or RBC Financial Group is the largest financial institution in Canada, as measured by deposits, revenues, and market capitalization. The bank serves seventeen million clients and has 80,100 employees worldwide. The company corporate headquarters are located in Toronto,...
- Robert Bensen Meyer (1914), Navy CrossNavy CrossThe Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
recipient for his service in World War I and Lieutenant in the United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S... - James Augustine Farrell, Jr. (1924), Founder of Farrell LinesFarrell LinesFarrell lines Incorporated was named in 1948 after James A. Farrell Jr., and John J. Farrell, sons of James A Farrell Sr., president of US Steel. The company was previously known as American South African Lines . It was a passenger/cargo line in regular service from New York to South Africa...
, a shipping company, Son of James A. FarrellJames A. FarrellJames Augustine Farrell was president of US Steel from 1911 to 1932. A major business figure of his era, Farrell expanded US Steel by a factor of five during his Presidency, turning it into America's first billion-dollar company...
(President of U.S. Steel CorporationU.S. SteelThe United States Steel Corporation , more commonly known as U.S. Steel, is an integrated steel producer with major production operations in the United States, Canada, and Central Europe. The company is the world's tenth largest steel producer ranked by sales...
, 1911-1932) - Dudley Willis "Dud" RockwellDudley Willis RockwellDudley Willis "Dud" Rockwell was born June 20, 1913, in New Britain, Connecticut. Dud was the son of Ruth Gowdy Rockwell and Stanley Pickett Rockwell, inventor of the Rockwell scale. Dud graduated from Yale University Sheffield Scientific School in 1935 with a bachelor of science degree. He was a...
(1935), President of Stanley P. Rockwell Co., his company patented the Rockwell scaleRockwell scaleThe Rockwell scale is a hardness scale based on the indentation hardness of a material. The Rockwell test determines the hardness by measuring the depth of penetration of an indenter under a large load compared to the penetration made by a preload. There are different scales, denoted by a single... - Fotzhugh Quarrier (1935), Colonel in World War II in the N.Y. Air Defense Wing and assisted Eleanor RooseveltEleanor RooseveltAnna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
in organizing the WAACs - William Moonan (1939), Senior Vice President Sherwin-Williams, Tau Beta PiTau Beta PiThe Tau Beta Pi Association is the oldest engineering honor society in the United States and the second oldest collegiate honor society in America. It honors engineering students who have shown a history of academic achievement as well as a commitment to personal and professional integrity...
Award winner. - Ivan ObolenskyIvan Sergeyevich ObolenskyIvan Sergeievich 6th Prince Obolensky-Neledinsky-Meletzky is a Russian American New York City-based financial analyst and corporate officer. He served in the United States Navy and worked as a publisher.-Early life:...
(1947), Naval pilot, Pulitzer PrizePulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
publisher, Vice President of Shields & Company, long-time financial analyst, son of Prince Serge ObolenskySerge ObolenskySergei Platonovich 5th Knyaz Obolensky-Neledinsky-Meletzky was a Russian Prince and Vice Chairman of the Board of Hilton Hotels Corporation....
, Russian Prince and Vice Chairman of the Board of Hilton Hotels CorporationHilton Hotels CorporationHilton Worldwide is a global hospitality company. It is owned by the Blackstone Group, a private equity firm. As of July 2011 Hilton brands encompass 3,750 hotels with over 600,000 rooms in 84 countries...
, and grandson of John Jacob Astor IVJohn Jacob Astor IVJohn Jacob Astor IV was an American businessman, real estate builder, investor, inventor, writer, lieutenant colonel in the Spanish-American War and a member of the prominent Astor family...
, great-grandson of John Jacob AstorJohn Jacob AstorJohn Jacob Astor , born Johann Jakob Astor, was a German-American business magnate and investor who was the first prominent member of the Astor family and the first multi-millionaire in the United States... - James E. FuchsJim FuchsJames "Jim" Emanuel Fuchs was an American athlete who competed in both the discus and shot put. He developed a new shot-putting technique in order to compensate for a leg injury, and then used what he called "the sideways glide" to set world records and dominate the sport over a two-year span in...
(1950), OlympicOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
medalist, 1948 and 1952, Pan-American Games medalist, and former world recordWorld recordA world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
holder, shot putShot putThe shot put is a track and field event involving "putting" a heavy metal ball—the shot—as far as possible. It is common to use the term "shot put" to refer to both the shot itself and to the putting action....
. President, Chairman, and Executive Director of the Silver Shield Foundation; Chairman and Co-Chief Executive of the Cosamar Group Inc.; former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Grenfox Group Inc.; former senior advisor to the Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy; former CEO of Fuchs, Cuthrell & Co Inc. - Alan K. McAdams (1952) Professor at Johnson Business SchoolS.C. Johnson Graduate School of ManagementThe Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management is the graduate business school of Cornell University, a private Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York. It was founded in 1946 and renamed in 1984 after Samuel Curtis Johnson, founder of S.C...
at Cornell and served as senior staff member of the President's Council of Economic AdvisersCouncil of Economic AdvisersThe Council of Economic Advisers is an agency within the Executive Office of the President that advises the President of the United States on economic policy... - Andrew H. Marks (1961) Former President and CEO of Bollinger, Inc.
- Robert Morse CrundenRobert Morse CrundenRobert Morse Crunden was a professor of American studies and history...
(1962), Professor at the University of Texas, director of American Studies Department, 1985-1990, member of the History Department as well - John Richard Sack (1963), author of The Franciscan Conspiracy, translated into 20 languages and a top-10 bestseller for many months in Germany, Brazil, France, Italy and Holland.
- John AshcroftJohn AshcroftJohn David Ashcroft is a United States politician who served as the 79th United States Attorney General, from 2001 until 2005, appointed by President George W. Bush. Ashcroft previously served as the 50th Governor of Missouri and a U.S...
(1964), 79th United States Attorney GeneralUnited States Attorney GeneralThe United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. The attorney general is considered to be the chief lawyer of the U.S. government... - Barrington Daniels Parker, Jr.Barrington Daniels Parker, Jr.Barrington Daniels Parker, Jr. is a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.- Background :...
(1965), a federal judgeFederal judgeFederal judges are judges appointed by a federal level of government as opposed to the state / provincial / local level.-Brazil:In Brazil, federal judges of first instance are chosen exclusively by public contest...
on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Second CircuitThe United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is one of the thirteen United States Courts of Appeals... - Calvin HillCalvin HillCalvin G. Hill is a retired American football running back who had a 12-year NFL career from 1969 to 1981. He played for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns...
(1969), All-Pro NFL running back; father of NBA All-Star, Grant Hill - Dick Caples (1971), Executive Director Lar Lubovitch Dance CompanyLar Lubovitch Dance CompanyLar Lubovitch Dance Company is a dance company based in New York City and founded by Lar Lubovitch in the late 1960s. They have performed at Carnegie Hall, and worldwide....
- Gandolfo Vincent DiBlasi (1975), Partner at Sullivan & CromwellSullivan & CromwellSullivan & Cromwell LLP is an international law firm headquartered in New York. The firm has approximately 800 lawyers in 12 offices, located in financial centers in the United States, Asia, Australia and Europe. Sullivan & Cromwell was founded by Algernon Sydney Sullivan and William Nelson...
, recognized as one of the top litigation attorneys in America - Arturo Cazares (1979), Epidemiologist M.D., M.P.H., Program and Executive Research Coordinator at the National Institutes of HealthNational Institutes of HealthThe National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
, recognized contractor to the Department of JusticeUnited States Department of JusticeThe United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
. - James L. Shulman (1987), Author and President of ARTstorARTstorARTstor is a non-profit organization that builds and distributes the Digital Library, an online resource of more than one million images in the arts, architecture, humanities, and sciences. The ARTstor Digital Library also includes a set of software tools to view, present, and manage images for...
- Matt McCarthy (2002), Author of Odd Man Out, which was ranked number 21 on the New York Times Non-Fiction Best Seller ListNew York Times Best Seller listThe New York Times Best Seller list is widely considered the preeminent list of best-selling books in the United States. It is published weekly in The New York Times Book Review magazine, which is published in the Sunday edition of The New York Times and as a stand-alone publication...
in March 2009
Sources
- How the Secret Societies Got That Way
- Yale Alumni Magazine 2001
- NY Times Article, St. Elmo Hall 1
- NY Times Article, St. Elmo Hall 2
- New York Times Article, St. Elmo Society
- Sheffield Scientific School Recordings
- Yale Organizations 1780-1960
- Sheffield Scientific School Obituary 1951-1952
- Tombs and Taps: An inside look at Yale's Fraternities, Sororities and Societies
- Buildings & Grounds
- Inside Yale's Secret Societies
- Secret societies: tombs and tradition
- Light and Truth
- St. Anthony