Aletheian

The Aletheian literary society was the last to be inducted in 1922 and was named after Greek goddess Aletheia (Veritas in Roman mythology), which was a goddess of truth. This fourth (and final) society was created as a response to the continuously growing student body, in an effort to keep each society small enough for all students to participate. In similar fashion to the Dikeans, the Aletheian society was formed with previous members from each of the three societies on campus.

Below are various forms of ephemera pertaining to the Alethian literary society and all originate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), and are made available through the Special Collections & University Archives. 

All items can be clicked upon for additional information regarding their source.

The Aletheian Profile

Aletheian Society Initiation Event, 1940

Aletheian Society Pin, 1927

Aletheian Society Song

Ah! Truth, whose light throughout the countless years, has been passed down to us from soul to soul.

We seek thee, through toil and pain and tears, until we find thee, we may be whole.

A spark of thee is born within each breast; we strive to feed that tiny altar-fire.

With other sparks we find upon our quest, O' Alethia of our pure desire. 


Thou art an ideal, boundless and unattained, while yet we strive to live thee every day;

Thou art in all, and yet cannot be gained. save by long search, and weary, and the way 

winds by strongholds of ignorance and sin. But seeking thee in all we know at last.

We'll break the gates that there may enter in, thy light of understanding when our search is past.

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By the 1940's marshal dresses were typically worn  by society members that excelled in their studies throughout their time at the Woman's College, during graduation.



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Scrapbooks were a common project that students would create to commemorate the many different dances/formals organized amongst society members.

Here you can see scrapbook pages from two separate formals the Aletheians hosted alongside the Adelphians.

Student Displays Dress, 1941

"Aletheia" written in Greek, 1918

Students Waiting for Class, 1950's

Hanging Out In Dormitory, 1946

The Aletheian Society, being the last to charter, only had about 30 years of active status before all the literary societies together formally disbanded in 1953. 

This unfortunately leaves the Aletheian's with the least amount of ephemera and memorabilia within the campus archives. However, more can be explored about the Aletheian society in the university's old yearbook publication, the "Pine Needles."

Aletheian Ball Program Pamphlet, 1945

"Aletheia"  and the Aletheian Literary Society Marshals in Pine Needles, 1930