THE LITERARY SOCIETIES

The first literary societies created at the State Normal and Industrial School were Adelphian and Cornelian in 1893, a mere two years after the university's initial opening. Founder and then President Charles McIver had previously outlawed sorority-type groups on campus, fearing that they could promote elitism or generate an exclusionist environment. However, after some students were caught creating their own secret clubs, McIver decided it would be beneficial for the students to have an on-campus organization that they could be a part of. Every student that attended the Woman's College after 1893 was automatically assigned a literary society, at random, to be a part of for the remainder of their studies. These societies operated like social groups and would hold many events on campus such as, theatre plays, debates, dances and socials, festivals, luncheons, as well as formals, for all students to enjoy. Not only were the societies used to host events, but they also provided the students with a sort of family outside of their immediate ones back home. Grand ideals of sisterhood and community really came alive through the activities and engagements of these literary societies. By 1918 the college grew in size and student body, prompting a third literary society, Dikean, to be inducted in the ranks. Shortly after, the final literary society was established using the name Aletheian in 1922, culminating into the four groups we know them as today. Due to the continuously growing student body, a small change was made to the literary societies in 1930, where each one was divided further into subgroups or "chapters" (e.g., Alpha, Beta) to try and keep them relatively small so students could still feel essential and participatory. Unfortunately, as the campus expanded other organizations started popping up, eventually rendering the literary societies somewhat obsolete and they were formally disbanded in 1953 with the approval of all society presidents. Only a few years shy of the eventual shift to a co-educational university, the literary societies left behind a heart-warming legacy of comradery and community amongst all the incredible women whose efforts were actualized over the 60 year span.