![]() "This usually leads to interesting, useful connections when it comes to career moves." We encourage each other in our endeavors and learn to rely on other people who have been members," the post reads. "I wouldn't say we control anyone's future but our own. Ultimately, though, the Reddit user summarizes the society as something far more mild than conspiracy theories suggest. The Reddit user's description of the group's activities range from standard student life - informal dinners, movie nights, laser tag - to the unusual: dressing in black robes and white masks to go through the selection process for the incoming class of members. But insights into these organizations are out there, such as a Reddit post from a user who claimed to be in a Yale secret society. Alumni contacted for this piece largely ignored requests for comment. Members of such societies tend to abide by the secret part. "If you make a point of picking people across a spectrum, then your influence widens." The fact that presidential rivals Bush and Kerry were both Skull and Bones members is a reflection of the commitment to ideological diversity, explains Spence. Historically, most of these groups have been largely white and male, something which has been challenged in recent years. These groups tend to be small, Richards says, limited to 15 student members recruited with ethnic and ideological diversity in mind. Now, he adds, many secret societies are more focused on academic research such as biographies and living history projects. "They could debate controversial subjects, politics and religion among them, and learn how to think on their feet," says Richards. Groups such as Skull and Bones would select a topic the night of their meeting and debate various ideas at length. These groups go by names such as Cadaver Society, Flat Hat Club, Porcellian Club and Eucleian Society.Īccording to Richards, college secret societies were organized around debate and extemporaneous speech in the early days. Similar organizations can also be found at the University of Virginia, New York University and various other colleges. But secret societies are not limited to Ivy League campuses. While his book focuses on Yale, Richards notes that secret societies also exist at Princeton University in New Jersey in the form of eating clubs, and final clubs at Harvard University in Massachusetts. It's also what makes people mistrust and hate them." ![]() "That's one of the reasons that there is going to be some gain for you, (membership) is going to admit you into a select group," Spence says. "It's a kind of ritualized form of networking," explains Richard Spence, a history professor at the University of Idaho who has written about secret societies and teaches a class focused on the historical role and conspiracies attached to such organizations. One answer may be as simple as the opportunity to connect with well-heeled peers at elite institutions. So what's to account for the success of the alumni of these clandestine clubs who have risen to prominent roles in society? Secret Societies and the Power of Networking ![]() Other notable members of various college secret societies include presidents William Howard Taft and Teddy Roosevelt, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, musician John Legend and various other influencers in the political, financial and cultural spheres. And not just any secret society - Kerry was in the same group as the Bushes: Skull and Bones at Yale University in Connecticut.Īs one researcher notes, Skull and Bones, though not part of Greek life, has been considered the most powerful fraternity in the U.S. Bush.ĭemocratic rival John Kerry, who faced the latter Bush in the 2004 presidential election, was also a member of a secret society. Even so, it's worth noting that collegiate secret societies at elite institutions count many influential people among their members, including former Presidents George H.W. While these shadowy cabals may prompt conspiracy theories on college campuses and beyond, both former members and skeptics suggest that the panic is much ado about nothing. The truth, however, may be a little less exciting, particularly for college secret societies. Fall into a deep enough virtual rabbit hole and you'll see theories about how secret societies control everything from global health and finances to media, education and beyond. ![]()
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