|
The Secret Society Of The Seven, also known as "The Seven Society", is a benevolent and philanthropic society at East Carolina University consisting of undergraduate, graduate, faculty, and alumni members of the University. The society selects or "taps" sixteen men each year for membership from the junior, senior, and graduate classes, all of whom represent a different sector of university life (i.e. athletics, fraternities, SGA, etc.).
The Society is most noted for its awarding of scholarships and fellowships to the University and its students each year.
Membership is secret until a member dies and at that time the Society reveals their membership by placing a wreath of black roses in the shape of a seven "7" upon their grave. The Society's obsessive use of the number "7" is almost occultish with the symbol appearing around campus and upon correspondence dispatched by the Society to persons at the University. These traditions fall in line with the 7 Society at the University of Virginia, which lead many to believe that the two societies are somehow related or affiliated with one another.
Little is known about members and no known record or listing of membership has ever been published. The initiation and rituals of the Society as well as their meeting places are for the most part a mystery.
The Society is funded by the Jarvis Memorial Trust Association, which is estimated at being worth between $200,000-400,000.
In the annals of The North Carolina collection at East Carolina University, past NC governor T.J. Jarvis and former ECU notable W.H. Ragsdale are listed as honorary members of the Society.
| 
