University of Virginia Library

Secret Societies Aid University,
Honor Community Members

Each year specially qualified
students gain membership to the
many secret and honorary societies
that exist on the Grounds.

Such societies as the Seven
Society, Eli Banana, T.I.L.K.A., the
"13" Society, the Imp Society, the
" Z" Society , the Society of the
Purple Shadows, and the Society of
the Cornish Game Hen, provide
recognition of achievement for
their members and benefit the
University.

Perhaps the most mysterious of
the societies is the Seven Society,
of which little is known because its
many activities are cloaked in
secrecy.

Even the identity of its members
is a closely guarded secret. One
hears about a member only when
he dies, at which time the bells in
the University Chapel toll exactly
seven times.

The avowed purpose of the
Society's anonymous nature is to
allow it to perform its functions
without incurring any recognition
for its individual members.

Among the deeds of the Seven
Society are loan funds, scholarships,
the University Carillon and
Mace, gifts to students in need, and
recognition of outstanding members
of the University community.

Eli Banana and T.I.L.K.A. are
the University's two ribbon societies.
The former was founded in
1878 and is the forerunner of all
such societies at the University.

Members in these two honoraries
can be distinguished by the pins
they wear on their coat lapels. The
Eli's pin features a banana, while
the T.I.L.K.A.'s have a large gold
"T" on their pin.

These two honoraries tap into
their ranks distinguished men from
all phases of University life.

The "13" Society is so named
because its membership never exceeds
13. Although membership is
usually confined to those students
who are in their fourth year,
selection may be made from the
entire student body.

The IMP Society grew out of the
nineteenth century secret society
called the Hotfeet Society. In 1955,
the IMP Society established its
faculty award, which is presented
annually to the member of the
faculty who has best promoted
student-faculty relations.

The " Z" Society , a semi-secret
group, the symbol of which adorns
many buildings on the Grounds,
donates monetary awards and gifts
to further University ideals.

Founded in 1963, the Society of
the Purple Shadows works "to
contribute to the betterment of the
University and to safeguard vigilantly
the University traditions."

The newest society on the
Grounds, the Society of the Cornish
Game Hen, was formed to
honor independent student leaders
who have not been recognized by
any of the other honorary societies,
but who have contributed significantly
to the University.