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Sphinx Senior Society
The Sphinx Senior Society is one of the oldest senior honor societies[a] at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The organization, founded in 1900, is self-perpetuating and consists of a maximum of 30 members selected annually. Its members are a diverse and varied, coming from all areas of achievement, community, activities, and backgrounds. Each member is chosen because of the singular achievements of his or her committed leadership to the university, community, and public. The Sphinx Senior Society, Inc. is a recognized nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status. HistoryThe Sphinx Senior Society was formed in 1899 by graduating members of the Class of 1900 at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[4][5] Its purpose was to promote the university's customs, ideals, and traditions.[6] It was the first senior honor society at the university, created to recognize top student leaders who made significant contributions to the campus community.[4] Members advised the university's administration, proctored exams, oversaw campus elections, provided freshman orientation, and were referees for the annual freshman-sophomore class contests.[6] The society inducted its first Black member in 1952 and women in 1971.[6][7][5] Symbols and traditionsActive members are called Sphines.[4] Its officers are called the Chief (president), Pharisee (treasurer), and Scribe (secretary).[4] As Sphinx brings together the leaders o Its four tenets or pillars are achievement, leadership, commitment, and character.[4] Originally, its members wore a black and gold cap with the Sphinx skull on Tuesdays.[6] MembershipThe Sphinx Senior Society is self-perpetuating and consists of a maximum of thirty members who are selected or tapped annually; each member selects their replacement.[4][5] The undergraduate society consists of 30 members, with 23 being inducted each spring and 7 being inducted each fall. Members, officially called "Sphinges," represent student leaders who have served the university community in some form or manner and are selected based on their character, involvement, leadership, and vision. This membership perpetuates through a "tapping" process every spring, during which current members personally nominate deserving juniors to attend a smoker. This informal smoker provides an opportunity for the taps to pick up an application as well as for the current members to meet and screen nominees before starting the selection process. This process is repeated each fall to tap, select, and induct an additional 7 seniors as members of the given class. GovernanceThe Sphinx Senior Society Board of Governors guides, plans and coordinates all activities of the Society, especially expanding alumni outreach and supporting the undergraduate membership. The 17-member Board consists of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, President-Emeritus, and Chief, Pharisee, or Scribe Emeritus from the most recent graduating Sphinx class, as well as eight alumni Members-at-Large elected by the entire Sphinx alumni membership. These alumni members cover as wide a range of Penn alumni classes as possible. The three officers from the current class of the undergraduate membership also serve on the Board in an ex officio capacity. Notable members
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