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| {{Short description|Honor society at Cornell University, US}} | |||
| ] | |||
| {{Infobox fraternity | |||
| The '''Sphinx Head Society''' is the oldest ] at ] in Ithaca, New York. Sphinx Head recognizes Cornell senior men and women who, throughout their undergraduate years, have demonstrated respectable strength of character on top of a dedication to leadership and service at Cornell University.<ref name='HonoraryArticle'>, page 14, Cornell Chronicle, ], ]</ref> Election into Sphinx Head has been recognized by '']'' as "the highest non-scholastic honor within reach of undergraduates."<ref>, The New York Times, ], ], p. N3.</ref> | |||
| | name = Sphinx Head | |||
| | crest = Sphinx Head Emblem 1891.jpg | |||
| | image_size = 170px | |||
| | caption = Sphinx Head Society emblem, 1891 | |||
| | founded = {{start date and years ago|1890|10|11}} | |||
| | birthplace = ] | |||
| | affiliation = Independent | |||
| | type = Senior honor society | |||
| | status = Active | |||
| | scope = Local | |||
| | chapters = 1 | |||
| | address = | |||
| | city = ] | |||
| | state = ] | |||
| | ZIP code = | |||
| | country = United States | |||
| }} | |||
| The '''Sphinx Head Society''' is the oldest ] at ]. Sphinx Head recognizes Cornell senior men and women who have demonstrated respectable strength of character on top of dedication to leadership and service at Cornell University.<ref name='HonoraryArticle'>, page 14, ''Cornell Chronicle'', December 7, 2007</ref> In 1929 '']'' held that election into Sphinx Head and similar societies constituted "the highest non-scholastic honor within reach of undergraduates."<ref>, ''The New York Times'', May 19, 1929, p. N3.</ref> | |||
| ==Founding== | ==Founding== | ||
| Sphinx Head was founded |
Sphinx Head was founded on October 11, 1890, by a group of ten men from the senior class.<ref name="AlumniNews1901">"", ''Cornell Alumni News'', December 18, 1901, p. 89.</ref><ref>"" ''Cornell Daily'' Sun, January 13th, 1891, p. 3. </ref> The Society was founded to "create and maintain a stronger feeling" for Cornell University and to promote "a closer and stronger friendship among members of the Senior class."<ref name='AlumniNews1901' /> '']'' referred to Sphinx Head as "a secret senior society of the nature of ]", a senior honor society at ] of which ], Cornell University's co-founder and first president, was a member.<ref>"Cornell University", The New York Times, May 10, 1891.</ref> White encouraged the formation of a secret society system on the Cornell campus.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430172050/http://cornellsun.com/node/21711 |date=2011-04-30 }}</ref> | ||
| In 1926, the society built ] perched halfway down the cliff on the ] gorge. It sold the building in 1969, and it eventually became the home and office of astronomer ]. | |||
| ==Membership== | ==Membership== | ||
| ] | |||
| Each year, Sphinx Head taps fewer than forty men and women of the senior class for membership. Since the Society's founding, membership has been "reserved for the most respected" members of the senior class.<ref name=autogenerated1></ref> The names of newly tapped Sphinx Heads were published in ''The New York Times'' through the 1930s, but are now published exclusively in '']''.<ref>"Cornell Societies Elect", ''The New York Times'', October 19, 1930.</ref><ref>"Cornell Societies Elect New Members", ''The New York Times'', May 13, 1926.</ref><ref>"Cornell Societies Elect", ''The New York Times'', October 14, 1938.</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| Each year, Sphinx Head usually taps fewer than forty members of the senior class for membership, both men and women.<ref name='AlumniNews1901'>"History of Some of the Later Cornell Organizations", Cornell Alumni News, ], ], p. 89. http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3166/12/004_12.pdf</ref> Since the Society's founding, membership has been "reserved for the most respected" members of the senior class at Cornell.<ref></ref> | |||
| The names of newly tapped Sphinx Heads were published in ''The New York Times'' through the 1930s, but are now published exclusively in '']''.<ref> "Cornell Societies Elect", ''The New York Times'', ], ].</ref><ref>"Cornell Societies Elect New Members", ''The New York Times'', ], ].</ref><ref> "Cornell Societies Elect", ''The New York Times'', ], ].</ref> Sphinx Head also awards honorary membership to Cornell administration, faculty, staff, and alumni for their "significant personal and/or professional accomplishment, outstanding leadership, distinguished service to the university and interest in and commitment to undergraduate student life and development."<ref name='HonoraryArticle'>, page 14, Cornell Chronicle, ], ]</ref> | |||
| ==At Cornell== | |||
| ] | |||
| Sphinx Head has "retained an aura of mystery throughout its history on campus", holding some "closely guarded secrets and traditions."<ref>Secret's Out, Cornell Alumni Magazine, May/June 2003, p. 36.</ref> Although membership in Sphinx Head is public, the proceedings of the Society remain concealed. Since the founding the Society, Sphinx Head members have been responsible for starting many long-standing Cornell University traditions such as the annual ] celebration, the use of ] to describe Cornell athletics, as well as Spring Day, the precursor to the current ] celebration.<ref></ref><ref>http://www.slopeday.cornell.edu/2008/history.php</ref><ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', October, 1950</ref> | |||
| Members of Sphinx Head have held many prominent positions within Cornell University serving as Presidents, Provosts, Deans, Directors of Athletics, Cornell Council members, Trustees and Chairpersons of the Board of Trustees. More than one-third of the Presidents of the Cornell University Alumni Association have been members and twenty percent of the Chairpersons of the Cornell University Board of Trustees have been affiliated with the Society.<ref>Alumni Association: Larry Gubb, William Kleitz, Elbert Tuttle, Robert White, Walter Nield, Charles Werly, Richard Vanderwarker, Bruce Hackstaff, Joseph Driscoll</ref><ref>Chairman: Becker, Purcell, Noyes; Mieing holds honorary membership.</ref> Names of alumni can be found on the Cornell campus on Bartels Hall, ], ], Robert Kane Track, ], ], ], ] and ]. | |||
| ==After Cornell== | |||
| Many Sphinx Heads have attained great success and distinction in their post-collegiate careers. Members have gone on to careers in government as ] members; ], Members of the ], U.S. Secretary of Armed Forces, U.S. Ambassadors, and members of state and local legislators. In business, members have gone on to become CEO, Chairman and Board Members of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and other ] companies. In education, members have won ], ], and have become deans and presidents of top universities. In athletics, members have gone on to become ] Gold medalists, Winners of ], and members of both Cornell University and National Athletic Halls of Fame. In journalism, members have earned ] and ]. At Cornell, members have become chairmen and members of the Cornell University Board of Trustees, Cornell University Council, major Cornell University donors, Cornell University Entrepreneurs of the Year and ] Exemplary Alumni Service Award recipients.<ref></ref><ref></ref> Numerous members are also profiled in ''The 100 Most Notable Cornellians''.<ref>{{cite book | last = Altschuler | first = Glenn C. | coauthors = Isaac Kramnick, R. Laurence Moore | year = 2003 | title = The 100 Most Notable Cornellians | publisher = ] | location=] | id = ISBN 0-8014-3958-2}}</ref> | |||
| ==Notable alumni== | |||
| ===1890-1899=== | |||
| *'''George W. Bacon'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', ], ]</ref> (1892): Former President of Sierra and San Francisco Power Co. (which later became ]). | |||
| *'''Charles H. Blair'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'' February, 1964</ref> (1897): Grandson of ]; Cornell University Trustee. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1897yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1897, pg. 176. </ref> (1897): Ornithologist; Renowned bird artist.<ref>] (Sphinx Head 1897), from ''The Second Book of Birds'', 1901]] | |||
| *'''James H. Gannon''' (1898): Internationally famous financial advisor directing US policy toward German debtors; Financial Editor of ]; Vice-president of ] | |||
| *'''James P. Hall''' (1894): Dean of the ]; ] Trustees.<ref>''The Cornellian'', 1894</ref> | |||
| *'''Royal S. Haynes'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', ], ]</ref> (1899): Medical Doctor and recipient of the ], the highest civil honor awarded by the French government, for his work with French orphans following ]. | |||
| *'''Carlton E. Ladd''' (1893): Defending counsel to ], the assassin of ] ]<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', October, 1936</ref> | |||
| *'''Henry H. Sanger'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', ], ]</ref> (1891): Organizer and Chairman of the Board of the ]. | |||
| *'''Robert L. Shape''' (1895): Renowned engineer that lead construction of the ]; Captain of first American rowing eight to compete at the ] <ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', July, 1941</ref> | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1899yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1899, pg. 183. </ref> (1899): Namesake of Upson Hall on the ] of the Cornell campus; Cornell University Trustee for over 35 years; former President of Raymond International Inc. | |||
| *'''John H. Wynne'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', March, 1961</ref> (1898): Executive of the ]; Donor of 30,000 volumes to the ]. | |||
| ===1900-1909=== | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1905yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1905, pg. 261.</ref> (1905): Chairman of the ] Board of Trustees (1947-1953); Member of the ]; Co-founder of the American Australian Association in 1948.<ref></ref> | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1904yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1904, pg. 263. </ref> (1904): Dubbed Cornell Athletics ] while composing the lyrics to the ''The Big Red Team'' (a ]) in 1905<ref></ref>; Graduate Manager of Cornell Athletics (1919-1935)<ref>http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B02E5D6143AE03ABC4153DFB1668382609EDE</ref>; Authored ''Dirt Roads to Stoneposts'' (1949), ''Stoneposts in the Sunset'' (1950)<ref>{{cite book | last = Berry | first = Romeyn | year = 1950| title = Stoneposts in the Sunset | publisher = Century House| id = ASIN B0007EETVA}}</ref>, and ''Behind the Ivy'' (1950). | |||
| *'''George G. Bogert''' (1908): Dean of ] (1921-1926).<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', May, 1921</ref> | |||
| *''']''' (1907): Olympic Athlete in the 400 meter race at the ]. | |||
| *''']'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', February, 1959</ref> (1900): Deputy Attorney General of New York State (1915-1924). | |||
| *''']''' (1907): Second President of the ].{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
| *'''Bernard E. Fernow'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'' June, 1964</ref> (1904): Mechanical Engineer, inventor of the Electric Lifting Magnet, the Electromagnetic Clutch<ref>http://www.google.com/patents?id=Nv5EAAAAEBAJ</ref>, and the Electromagnetically Controlled Brake<ref>http://www.google.com/patents?id=oEpnAAAAEBAJ</ref>; son of ], family namesake of Fernow Hall. | |||
| *'''Elmwood T. Foote''' (1906): Inducted into the National Rowing Hall of Fame (1956).<ref></ref> | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1910yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1910, pg. 359. </ref> (1909): Olympic athlete in the 800m race in the ]. | |||
| *'''George A. Larkin''' (1900): Justice of ] (1923-1948) <ref>''Cornell Alumni News'' September, 1955</ref> | |||
| *''']''' (1906): ]ist in the 4 mile team race track & field event at the ]. | |||
| *'''Andrew W. Newberry'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', March, 151</ref> (1905): Grandson of ], first President of Cornell University. | |||
| *'''Nicholas H. Noyes''' (1906): Business Advisory Council of the ]; Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago director; ] director; Owner and donor of a copy of the ] (handwritten by ]) to Cornell University.<ref>[http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/footsteps/exhibition/foundingcollections/foundingcollections_5.html In the Founders' Footsteps: Builders of the Cornell University Library</ref><ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', July 1949</ref> | |||
| *'''James O'Malley''' (1901): Justice of ] 1925-1940 | |||
| *'''Julian A. Pollak'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', May, 1961</ref> (1907): Chairman of the Board of Pollak Steel Company and Founder of the Bureau of Government Research.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1901yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1901, pg. 211. </ref> (1901): First Graduate Manager of Athletics for ] (1901-1907)<ref>]<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', October, 1950</ref>. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1902yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1902, pg. 227. </ref> (1902): Architect who led the construction of the ] with his firm ]. | |||
| *'''Andre Smith''' (1902): Architect and Sculptor; designed the ].<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', April, 1959</ref> | |||
| *''']''' (1901): U.S. Diplomat; Namesake of ], a student union that was constructed in 1925 after Straight's death in 1918; Founder of Cornell's annual ]; Cornell University Trustee; Donated money for the construction of ]<ref> Schoellkopf facts/history accessed 10-09-2007</ref><ref name='1901yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1901, pg. 211. </ref> | |||
| *'''Ray Van Orman''' (1908): U.S. Olympic lacrosse coach (1928-1932); Inducted into the ] in 1992.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
| *''']''' (1903): Inducted into the ] in 1971. | |||
| *'''R W. "Cy" Weed'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'' February, 1964</ref> (1909): Inducted into National Rowing Hall of Fame (1959), Stroke of the undefeated Cornell crew of 1909 | |||
| *'''Charles C. West''' (1900): President of the ], received the ] for building 28 submarines in less than 5 year during ], President of Shipbuilders Council of America.<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', October, 1957</ref> | |||
| *'''Ward B. White'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', April, 1951</ref> (1908): Former Chief of the Food Division, ] | |||
| ===1910-1919=== | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1913yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1913, pg. 307. </ref> (1912): ]ist in the 3000m team track & field event at the ].{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
| *'''William E. Blewett Jr.''' (1918): President and Chairman of ], recipient of ].<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'' December, 1965</ref> | |||
| *'''Robert S. Byfield''' (1917): ] 1951-1953 <ref>''Cornell Alumni News'' January, 1965</ref> | |||
| *'''Carlton P. Collins'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', April, 1962</ref> (1917):Banker and former Director of ]. | |||
| *'''Edward E. Conroy'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', ], ]</ref> (1919): Special Agent in charge of the New York office of the ] and responsible for taking into custody four German agents involved in ] during World War II. | |||
| *''']''' (1910): ]ist in the pole vault track & field event at the ]. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1919yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1919, pg. 433. </ref> (1919): ]ist in the 3000 meter track & field event at the ]. | |||
| *'''William H. Farnham''' (1918): Dean of the Cornell University Faculty, received the Romanian Chevalier of the Order of the Crown for his work with the American Relief effort following World War II <ref>''Cornell Alumni News'' September, 1952</ref> | |||
| *'''Stanton Griffis''' (1910): U.S. Ambassador to Poland (1947), Egypt (1948), Argentina (1949), Spain (1951-1952); Former Chairman of ], Lee Tire & Rubber Co. and Shuron Optical, Cornell University Trustee.<ref>''Cornell Alumni News, ], ]</ref> | |||
| *'''Henry J. Kimball'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', November, 1938</ref> (1911): Justice of the ]. | |||
| *'''Joseph B. Kirkland'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', February, 1939</ref> (1918): Former Director of The Boys and Girls Club of America. | |||
| *'''William L. Kleitz'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', February, 1947</ref> (1915): President of Guaranty Trust Company of New York that became ]. | |||
| *'''F. Jansen Noyes''' (1910): Namesake of Noyes Community Center on the ]. | |||
| *''']''' (1915): Inducted into the ] in 1972.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
| *'''Austin G. Parker''' (1910): American Screenwriter<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', May, 1938</ref><ref></ref> | |||
| *'''H. Wallace Peters'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', December, 1938</ref> (1914): Second Provost of Cornell University (1938-1943). | |||
| *''']''' (1916): Inducted into the ] in 1973. | |||
| *'''Roy Taylor''' (1910): Inducted into the ] in 1957; President of the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association; Helped introduce Lacrosse to ]; Served on the ], recipient of the ] from the French Government during World War I. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1918yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1918, pg. 395. </ref> (1918): Chief judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Atlanta, GA (overseeing many Civil Rights cases); Recipient of the ] in 1981. | |||
| ===1920-1929=== | |||
| *''']''' (1920): ]ist in the wrestling (132 lb. weight class) at the ]. | |||
| *'''Victor L. Butterfield'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', July, 1946</ref> (1927): Eleventh President of ] (1943-1967)<ref></ref>; ] Trustee. | |||
| *'''William D. P. Carey''' (1923): ] Trustee for 28 years; ]; Endowed the D. P. Carey Exhibition Prize in the ].<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', July 1947.</ref>]]] | |||
| *'''Charles E. Cassidy''' (1924): Served as Attorney General for the ] and U.S. Commissioner after ] became a state. | |||
| *''']''' (1922): Nuclear Energy Advocate; Chairman of ] (1948-1964), Founder of ]; Chairman of the International Executive Council of the World Energy Conference; President of the ] and the Fund for Peaceful Atomic Development<ref></ref><ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', ], ]</ref>; Recipient of the IEEE ] "for a career of meritorious achievement in electrical science, electrical engineering or the electrical arts." | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1928yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1928, pg. 179. </ref> (1928): Film and TV actor<ref></ref> immortalized on the ]. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1924yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1924, pg. 375.</ref> (1924): U.S. Congress Representative for ] 11th District (1934-1940); Senator, Missouri (1951-1960), vigorous proponent of civil liberties, Director of the ] and Director of ].<ref>''Cornell Alumni News, December, 1960</ref> | |||
| *''']''' (1923): Inducted into the ] in 1954. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1924yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1924, pg. 375. </ref> (1924): ]ist in the 3000m team track & field event at the ]. | |||
| *''']''' (1924): Secretary of Staff to General ] during his campaign in North Africa, Sicily and Germany; ]; ] Board of Trustees <ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', ], ]</ref>;Inducted into the ] in 1957. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1926yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1926, pg. 341. </ref> (1926): ]ist in the 4x100m race track & field event at the ]. | |||
| *'''Walker Smith''' (1920): 5th Place in the high hurdles track & field event at the ]. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1924yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1924, pg. 375. </ref> (1924): U.S. Congress Representative for ] 11th District (1943-1949); Inducted into the ] in 1978. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1927yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1927, pg. 327. </ref> (1927): Actor nominated for an ] in 1935 for '']'' (1935)<ref>]. | |||
| *'''Charles M. Werly'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', November, 1960</ref> (1927): Chairman of the George Putnam Fund of Boston. | |||
| ===1930-1939=== | |||
| *''']'''<ref> name='1939yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1939, pg. 193. </ref><ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', September 1960.</ref> (1939): President of ] (1953-1959) and ] (1960-1970); U.S. Ambassador to ] (1970-1972); Chairman of the ] Board of Governors (1980-1985); First African-American to serve on the board of the ]; Inducted into the ] in 1965. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1934yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1934, pg. 129. </ref> (1934): President of the U.S. Olympic Committee (1977-1980)<ref>"Robert J. Kane, 81, Ex-Olympic Official And Aide at Cornell", The New York Times, ], ].</ref>; Director of Athletics at Cornell (1946-1971); Author of ''Good Sports: A History of Cornell Athletics,''<ref>{{cite book | last = Kane| first = Robert J. | year = 1992 | title = Good Sports: A History of Cornell Athletics | publisher = Cornell Magazine | location=] | id = ISBN 0963327402}}</ref> namesake of the Robert J. Kane Track. | |||
| *'''Theodore Kheel''' (1935): Executive Director of the ] <ref>''Cornell Alumni News'' January, 1944</ref> | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1939yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1939, pg. 193. </ref> (1939): Chairman of the ] Board of Trustees (1978-1984)<ref></ref>; Director of ] from 1946-1996. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1933yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1933, pg. 183. </ref> (1932): Chairman of the ] Board of Trustees (1968-1978); Donor and namesake of Robert Purcell Community Center (RPCC). | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1933yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1933, pg. 183. </ref> (1933): U.S. Congress Representative for ] (1955-1983); co-founder of the ]. | |||
| *''']''' (1937): Founder of ].<ref></ref> | |||
| *'''Alfred F. VanRanst''' (1939): Former Chairman and CEO of ] Industries; CEO Phelps Dodge Cooper; Director, First Wayne National Bank; Governor, National Electrical Manufacturers Association. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1932yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1932, pg. 165. </ref> (1932): ]-based architect with a distinctive ] style. | |||
| ===1940-1949=== | |||
| *'''Henry E. Bartels''' (1948): Namesake of ] on the Cornell campus. | |||
| *'''Knox B. Burger'''<ref>''Cornell Alumni News'', July, 1946</ref> (1943): Flew first Naval Mission in a ] over Tokyo during ]. | |||
| *''']''' (1941): Inducted into the ] in 1981.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
| *''']''' (1948): Professional basketball player with the ] and ]. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1944yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1944, pg. 93. </ref> (1944): Secretary of the ] under President ] (1981-1989). | |||
| Sphinx Head awards honorary membership to Cornell administrators, faculty, staff, and alumni for their "significant personal and/or professional accomplishment, outstanding leadership, distinguished service to the university, and interest in and commitment to undergraduate student life and development."<ref name='HonoraryArticle' /> Notable honorary members of Sphinx Head include ] Chairman Emeritus ], ] founder ], and the 12th President of Cornell University, ]. | |||
| ===1950-1959=== | |||
| *'''Walter S. Ashbaugh''' (1951): 4th Place in the triple jump track & field event at the ].{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
| *'''James L. Broadhead''' (1957): Chairman and CEO of ] for almost ten years; Namesake of the James L. Broadhead Award, the highest honor given to Florida Power and Light employees for their contributions to improving quality; President of the Foundation for the ].<ref></ref> | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1957yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1957, pg. 295. </ref> (1957): Chairman, President, and CEO of the ]<ref></ref>; Thirteenth and youngest President of ] (1970-1988)<ref></ref>; President of the ] (1987-2000). | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1958yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1958, pg. 151. </ref> (1958): Chairman and CEO of ] (1989-1999); Member of the ]. {{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
| *'''Herbert P. Hess''' (1958): Former President and CEO of North American Management Corporation.<ref></ref> | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1950yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1950, pg. 161. </ref> (1950): Former Chairperson of ]; Major donor and co-namesake of the ] at Cornell University. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1954yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1954, pg. 139. </ref> (1954): President and CEO of ] (1986-1995). | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1957yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1957, pg. 295. </ref> (1957): ] CEO (1973-2000), President (1986-1988, 1995-1997), and Board Chairman(1974-2000); Board member of many other companies including ] (1987-present), ] (2006-present), ] (1993-present), ], ] (1987-2005), ], ], ] (1999-2005), ], ] (1983-2006), Southwestern Bell (1974-1983). | |||
| *'''Gordon B. Lankton''' (1953): Chairman of the Board and owner of Nypro, Inc.; Member of the National Plastics Hall of Fame; Co-founder and former Chairman of the National Plastics Center and Museum.<ref></ref> | |||
| *'''Richard Ramin, Jr.'''<ref name='1951yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1951, pg. 203. </ref> (1951): Vice President of Public Affairs for ] (1971-1995); Namesake of the Ramin Room in both the ] and Bartels Hall on the Cornell campus. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1955yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1955, pg. 195. </ref> (1955): U.S. ] from ], ] - ], ] under Presidents ] and ]. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1950yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1950, pg. 161. </ref> (1950): Professional tennis player; Winner of ] in 1951; ranked 2nd in the world for tennis in 1951; Inducted into several halls of fame including the ] (1976), the ] (1986), Tennis Association Men's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame (1986), and the USTA Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame (1999). | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1955yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1955, pg. 195. </ref> (1955): American sports broadcaster for ], ] and ], received two ]s, author and co-author of 33 books | |||
| ==Symbols and traditions== | |||
| ===1960-1969=== | |||
| ] | |||
| ], the United States Secretary of Energy]] | |||
| *''']''' (1969): Founder and Chairman of Trans National Group; Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year (2004), Cornell University Trustee; Owner of the ] and ].<ref></ref> | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1960yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1960, pg. 105. </ref> (1960): Secretary of the ]. | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1969yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1969, pg. 94. </ref> (1969): Chairman of the ].<ref></ref> | |||
| *'''Louis C. Ferraro, Jr.'''<ref name='1965yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1965, pg. 379. </ref> (1965): U.S. Major General in the Air Force Reserves; Author of ''The Right Side of Leadership''.<ref>{{cite book | last = Ferraro, Jr.| first = Louis C. | year = 2007 | title = The Right Side of Leadership | publisher = BookFactory | id = ISBN 1596720107}}</ref> | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1964yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1964, pg. 79. </ref> (1964): American Football player for the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills. | |||
| *'''David P. Hanlon'''<ref name='1966yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1966, pg. 197. </ref> (1966): President and COO of ] (1996-1999).<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/finance/mktguideapps/personinfo/FromPersonIdPersonTearsheet.jhtml?passedPersonId=888305 David Hanlon Profile - Forbes.com</ref> | |||
| *'''Norton H. Lamb''' (1966): CEO of Norton Lamb and Company. | |||
| *''']''' (1967): Professional football player with the ] (1967-1968). | |||
| *'''Mark H. Lytle''' (1968): ], Author of Nations of Nations: A Narrative History of the American Republic | |||
| *'''Phillip Ratner'''<ref name='1966yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1966, pg. 197. </ref> (1966): Former President of ] restaurants. | |||
| *'''William A. Stowe''' (1962): ]ist in the Rowing Mens-8 at the ]. | |||
| *'''George S. Warren III'''<ref name='1966yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1966, pg. 197. </ref> (1966): Co-founder and President of ] restaurants. | |||
| *''']''' (1964): Professional football player for the ] (1964-1966, 1968-1969) and the ] (1967); Inducted into the ] in 1996. | |||
| Sphinx Head has "retained an aura of mystery throughout its history on campus", holding some "closely guarded secrets and traditions."<ref>"Secret's Out", ''Cornell Alumni Magazine'', May/June 2003, p. 36.</ref> Although membership in Sphinx Head is public, the proceedings of the Society remain concealed. | |||
| ===1970-1979=== | |||
| *''']'''<ref name='1971yearbook'>''The Cornellian'', 1971, pg. 405. </ref> (1971): Winner of the 1973 ]<ref>Time: 2:16:03, ]<ref>Time: 2:16:54 ] track and field team. | |||
| *'''D. Craig Brush''' (1972): President of the ]<ref></ref>. | |||
| *''']''' (1976): First Team All-American lacrosse player; Inducted into the ] in 1991. | |||
| *'''Christopher J. Kane''' (1978): First Team All-American lacrosse player; Inducted into the ] in 1994. | |||
| *''']''' (1972): Runner-up for the 1971 ]<ref></ref>; Inducted into the ] in 1991; Actor most known for his portrayal of Officer Joe Coffey in '']''; Selected as one of the ''100 Most Notable Cornellians'' | |||
| *'''William G. Marino''' (1976): First Team All-American lacrosse player; Inducted into the ] in 1996.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
| *'''Charles "Chip" G. McClure''' (1975): Chairman and CEO of ]; Member of the President's Advisory group for the ].<ref></ref> | |||
| *''']''' (1973): United States Marine Corps general officer; chief of staff for Multi-National Force-Iraq; Nominated for a third star and appointment as director of strategic plans and policy, J-5, Joint Staff by President George W. Bush.<ref></ref> | |||
| == |
== Activities == | ||
| Since founding the Society, Sphinx Head members have been responsible for starting many long-standing Cornell University traditions such as the annual ] celebration, the use of ] to describe Cornell athletics, as well as Spring Fest, the precursor to the current ] celebration.<ref name="autogenerated1" /><ref name="autogenerated5">''Cornell Alumni News'', October, 1950</ref> | |||
| *'''Kevin M. Cook''' (1984): Inducted into the ] in 2000.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
| *''']''' (1983): Professional hockey goaltender; Member of the 1984 Canadian Olympic Ice Hockey team. {{Fact|date=February 2008}} | |||
| *''']''' (1997): American professional football player. | |||
| *''']''' (1988): American professional football player (]); Competed on ] as "Hawk" (1993-1996); Sports broadcaster for ESPN. | |||
| ==Notable members== | |||
| {{Main|List of Sphinx Head members}} | |||
| Members of Sphinx Head have held many prominent positions within Cornell University serving as presidents, provosts, deans, directors of athletics, Cornell Council members, trustees, and chairpersons of the board of trustees. More than one-third of the presidents of the Cornell University Alumni Association have been members and twenty percent of the chairpersons of the Cornell University Board of Trustees have been affiliated with the Society.<ref>Alumni Association: Larry Gubb, William Kleitz, Elbert Tuttle, Robert White, Walter Nield, Charles Werly, Richard Vanderwarker, Bruce Hackstaff, Joseph Driscoll</ref><ref>Chairman: Becker, Purcell, Noyes; Mieing holds honorary membership.</ref> Names of alumni can be found on the Cornell campus on Bartels Hall, Indimine Athletic Field, ], Robert Kane Track, ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Numerous members are also profiled in ''The 100 Most Notable Cornellians''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Altschuler |first=Glenn C. |url=https://archive.org/details/100mostnotableco00glen |title=The 100 Most Notable Cornellians |author2=Isaac Kramnick |author3=R. Laurence Moore |publisher=] |year=2003 |isbn=0-8014-3958-2 |location=] |url-access=registration}}</ref> | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
| {{Cornell}} | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
| {{Cornell-lite}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 01:47, 6 October 2024
Honor society at Cornell University, US| Sphinx Head | |
|---|---|
 Sphinx Head Society emblem, 1891 | |
| Founded | October 11, 1890; 134 years ago (1890-10-11) Cornell University |
| Type | Senior honor society |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Active |
| Scope | Local |
| Chapters | 1 |
| Headquarters | Ithaca, New York United States |
The Sphinx Head Society is the oldest senior honor society at Cornell University. Sphinx Head recognizes Cornell senior men and women who have demonstrated respectable strength of character on top of dedication to leadership and service at Cornell University. In 1929 The New York Times held that election into Sphinx Head and similar societies constituted "the highest non-scholastic honor within reach of undergraduates."
Founding
Sphinx Head was founded on October 11, 1890, by a group of ten men from the senior class. The Society was founded to "create and maintain a stronger feeling" for Cornell University and to promote "a closer and stronger friendship among members of the Senior class." The New York Times referred to Sphinx Head as "a secret senior society of the nature of Skull and Bones", a senior honor society at Yale University of which Andrew Dickson White, Cornell University's co-founder and first president, was a member. White encouraged the formation of a secret society system on the Cornell campus.
In 1926, the society built a clubhouse for itself designed to resemble an Egyptian tomb perched halfway down the cliff on the Fall Creek gorge. It sold the building in 1969, and it eventually became the home and office of astronomer Carl Sagan.
Membership
Each year, Sphinx Head taps fewer than forty men and women of the senior class for membership. Since the Society's founding, membership has been "reserved for the most respected" members of the senior class. The names of newly tapped Sphinx Heads were published in The New York Times through the 1930s, but are now published exclusively in The Cornell Daily Sun.
Sphinx Head awards honorary membership to Cornell administrators, faculty, staff, and alumni for their "significant personal and/or professional accomplishment, outstanding leadership, distinguished service to the university, and interest in and commitment to undergraduate student life and development." Notable honorary members of Sphinx Head include Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata, Atlantic Philanthropies founder Chuck Feeney, and the 12th President of Cornell University, David Skorton.
Symbols and traditions
Sphinx Head has "retained an aura of mystery throughout its history on campus", holding some "closely guarded secrets and traditions." Although membership in Sphinx Head is public, the proceedings of the Society remain concealed.
Activities
Since founding the Society, Sphinx Head members have been responsible for starting many long-standing Cornell University traditions such as the annual Dragon Day celebration, the use of "The Big Red" to describe Cornell athletics, as well as Spring Fest, the precursor to the current Slope Day celebration.
Notable members
Main article: List of Sphinx Head membersMembers of Sphinx Head have held many prominent positions within Cornell University serving as presidents, provosts, deans, directors of athletics, Cornell Council members, trustees, and chairpersons of the board of trustees. More than one-third of the presidents of the Cornell University Alumni Association have been members and twenty percent of the chairpersons of the Cornell University Board of Trustees have been affiliated with the Society. Names of alumni can be found on the Cornell campus on Bartels Hall, Indimine Athletic Field, Samuel C. Johnson School of Business Management, Robert Kane Track, Jansen Noyes Community Center, Jerome H. Holland International Living Center, Robert Purcell Community Center, Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives, Willard Straight Hall and Upson Hall. Numerous members are also profiled in The 100 Most Notable Cornellians.
References
- ^ 10 faculty and staff members honored by Sphinx Head society, page 14, Cornell Chronicle, December 7, 2007
- 63 Juniors Elected to Cornell Societies, The New York Times, May 19, 1929, p. N3.
- ^ "History of Some of the Later Cornell Organizations", Cornell Alumni News, December 18, 1901, p. 89.
- "The Sphinx Head: A Senior Society Recently Formed" Cornell Daily Sun, January 13th, 1891, p. 3.
- "Cornell University", The New York Times, May 10, 1891.
- The Secret Life of A.D. White | The Cornell Daily Sun Archived 2011-04-30 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Willard Straight Hall
- "Cornell Societies Elect", The New York Times, October 19, 1930.
- "Cornell Societies Elect New Members", The New York Times, May 13, 1926.
- "Cornell Societies Elect", The New York Times, October 14, 1938.
- "Secret's Out", Cornell Alumni Magazine, May/June 2003, p. 36.
- Cornell Alumni News, October, 1950
- Alumni Association: Larry Gubb, William Kleitz, Elbert Tuttle, Robert White, Walter Nield, Charles Werly, Richard Vanderwarker, Bruce Hackstaff, Joseph Driscoll
- Chairman: Becker, Purcell, Noyes; Mieing holds honorary membership.
- Altschuler, Glenn C.; Isaac Kramnick; R. Laurence Moore (2003). The 100 Most Notable Cornellians. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press. ISBN 0-8014-3958-2.
