Cornelian

The Cornelian literary society was one of the two original societies initiated in 1893. The name is believed to be an homage to Cornelia, who was the mother of the infamous Gracchi brothers, Tiberius and Gaius, of Roman legend. Cornelia was believed to deeply revere literature and education, and gained popularity as the mother who took initiative.

Below are various forms of ephemera pertaining to the Cornelian 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 Cornelian Profile

The Cornelian Literary Society Membership, 1913

Cornelian Literary Society Pennant, n.d.

Chicken in Jelly with Mayonnaise.pdf

Cornelian Society Initiation Banquet Program, 1911

UNCG Class of 1919 Scrapbook, Describes Cornelian Literary Society Initiation, pg.15

Initiation banquets would usually happen around the start of term and the girls would organize a major event to introduce incoming members to the society and all that entails when becoming an official member. Here are some ephemera from initiation banquets from 1911 and 1919 respectively. Oftentimes program pamphlets would be made to pass around during events (bottom left). and students would create scrapbooks about the proceedings (top right). 

Cornelia Literary Society Emblem, Pine Needles, 1920

Cornelian Society Song

In joy and praise, come, let us sing, with anthem clear and strong.

Let all Cornelian voices ring, in free, exultant song;

Of pride for that fair name we bear- Cornelia! Glorious word-

To make us gladly do and dare, whene'er 'tis thought, whene'er 'tis heard.


We'll onward, upward, ever move, our footsteps forward pressed; 

Together move in sister-love, unto the mountain's crest. 

To gain the fair, widespreading view, which round the mountain lies 

And gives us understanding new, enlightening our eager eyes.


May Cornelia's name have ne'er a stain, from any daughter's deed. 

For her all glory will we gain, and give her honor's meed; 

For firm and staunch we e'er will stand, unto each other true. 

And loyal to our noble band, hers—yea, her own, our whole lives through 

Cornelian Officers, circa 1940's

Cornelian Society Banquet, 1913

Banquets were often an event that all literary societies organized at some point throughout the school year. They would serve food at these banquets and formally invite dates to accompany the girls, and even some banquets would be themed affairs with decorations matching. 

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Photo from "The Egyptian Princess", a play hosted by Cornelian Literary Society, 1910

Cornelian and Dikean Formal, 1948

This is a photocopy of a scrapbook made about a joint formal dance that the Cornelian and Dikean societies hosted together. Usually dance committee members would create these elaborate scrapbooks as a testament to their efforts and to serve as a visual representation of the evening for all to enjoy. This particular dance was held on February 28th of 1948 and its theme was "Come to the Mardi Gras". The dance was held in today's Rosenthal Gymnasium on UNCG's campus.

There were so many different events that these literary societies participated in and organized for the entertainment of their community. Above you can find a program for a debate, which was a fun exercise among society members where they would choose a topic of contention appropriate for the time period. One society would be assigned the "affirmative" position, and the other the "negative" position and they each would gather their arguments to host a debate in front of the school to air out their sides respectively. 

Production of Pygmalion and Galatea by the Cornelian and Adelphian Societies, 1914

"Cornelia and the Gracchi" in Pine Needles, 1930

Cornelian Literary Society Pin, 1930

Most members would often own and wear pins corresponding to their literary society. These pins had various designs per academic year making each one a truly unique artifact. This particular pin was owned and worn by Mary Lyon, class of 1930. It has a small goat (the Cornelian society mascot) fastened to it and is adorned with pearls surrounding an onyx stone. 

Dance cards were often made for every banquet and formal the societies hosted. Usually they were small booklets that could be tied and worn around the girls' wrists, so as not to get lost during the event. As you flip through you can find blank lines where she would have filled in her dance partners for the evening. Additionally, one can see the names of committee members and students that organized this "Moonlight and Roses" formal that the Cornelian society put on February 23, 1946.

Program for "Esmerelda" Production, 1910

Above is a program created for a play production entitled "Esmerelda" put on by the Cornelian society members in 1910. These programs would usually include cast members, scene depictions, as well as summaries of production in some cases.

↤ To the left are two photos taken of the Cornelian Society Hall and Committee Room, which was held in the Students' Building at the time, during the early 1900's. In these rooms society members would gather for productions, meetings, banquets, and initiations respectively.