Society of the Seven

The Society of the Seven or "The Club," as it is commonly known amongst members, is a senior or secret society established by J.W. Harrington and Robert Morgan in 1946 at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.

History

The society, according to various records and books, was began in 1946 by Harrington and Morgan as the “East Carolina College Men’s Social Club.” It is for this reason that most members of the society still refer to it as “The Club.” The ECCMSC was originally founded as a non-secret social group, which met twice per month to have dinner and engage in social activities. At this time in its history, East Carolina University was still predominately female and few organizations existed for men on campus. Harrington and Morgan would go on to graduate and the men’s social club would continue to grow and prosper.

It was not until the fall of 1957 that the men’s social club decided to become a secret society at the University. A year later, men’s fraternities would emerge at East Carolina, but the ECCMSC would continue to exist, now known as simply, “The Club.” It purchased its current meeting house or "crypt" in 1962, which was a former Presbyterian church. The Club eventually changed its name in the early 1970’s to the “Society of the Seven” and members became known as "Sevens." This is most likely due to the fact that in 1971 the organization had only seven members. Following 1976, no further public records of membership or meetings were published in the East Carolina University yearbook or newspaper.

Members meet Sunday nights during their senior year in the Society's crypt, a colonial revival style brick building with stain-glass windows and a prominent replication of the Ten Commandments in stone above the front entrance. In early days, the crypt was often referred to as "The Temple" because of its resemblance to a Jewish synagogue, and the society's clear emphasis upon Hebrew/Masonic rituals. Though little is known of what transpires at meetings today, in early years, members often gathered for a meal or to play a game of poker. Poetry and songs were often a part of the evening’s festivities.

Tax records show an endowment worth several hundred thousand dollars under the name of the “Jarvis Memorial Trust Association.” The members of the Trust manage the property and financial matters of the Society and have given generous sums of money to the university over the years in the form of scholarships and endowments.

The Society of the Seven at East Carolina University has no ties or affiliations to the Seven Society at the University of Virginia or the Seven Society, Order of the Crown and Dagger at the College of William and Mary.

Membership

Membership in the society is kept secret. It is only until after one graduates that he may or may not elect to reveal his membership. In recent years, members have been frowned upon for public announcement of their membership, especially for financial or political gain. Each fall, sixteen seniors are selected or "tapped" by the previous year's senior class. Usually one or two of the previous year's seniors and several alumni will conduct the initiation and one local alumnus, commonly referred to as "Father" will oversee the indoctrination of the new men into the society.

Though pressure has been put upon the society for its male-only membership, it has refused to amend its Constitution and admit women as have many secret societies at Ivy League institutions. The society has also been criticized in years past for its sole tapping of white candidates with few or no minorities typically being selected. In recent years, however, memberships have been extended to minorities, Jews, and Catholics.

Notable members

Business Leaders

*John A. Allison IV - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BB&T
*Vince McMahon - Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc
*James Maynard - Founder of Golden Corral Restaurant Chain

Entertainment

*Kevin Williamson - Producer/Director/Actor

Politics

*Robert Morgan - U.S. Senator, North Carolina Attorney General
*Marc Basnight - N.C. State Senator, President Pro Tem
*Scott Thomas - District Attorney, former North Carolina Senator

Academia

*Leo Warren Jenkins - Sixth President and Chancellor of East Carolina University.

Sports

*David Garrard - Quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Other North Carolina Collegiate Secret Societies

The Society of the Seven is the one of three secret societies at East Carolina University, the other two being The Secret Order of the Circle and The Order of the Cupola. Two secret societies are also found at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Order of Gimghoul and Order of the Gorgon's Head.

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