About Sphinx

Established by and for graduating seniors of the Class of 1900, the Sphinx Senior Society was the University of Pennsylvania’s first senior honor society recognizing top student leaders who have made significant contributions to the university community. Continuing in this tradition, Sphinx has come to represent all facets of university life. Members today include leaders in student government, performing arts, media, community service, cultural organizations, Greek life, and athletics.

As a self-perpetuating organization of no more than thirty graduating seniors, each current member personally invites (“taps”) individuals from the junior class to apply for membership each spring. These prospective members, all of whom have in some way contributed to Penn’s rich campus community through their extracurricular activities, have an opportunity to learn more about Sphinx and meet current members (“Sphinges”) at Sphinx’s Smoker. The current senior members then select no more than twenty-three juniors for membership through a deliberations process where applicants are considered in light of Sphinx’s Four Tenets: achievement, leadership, commitment and character. An identical tapping and deliberations process is then run each fall by the new senior class to select no more than seven additional members to complete their class of thirty. Sphinx’s undergraduate activities are lead by the Chief (president), Pharisee (treasurer), and Scribe (secretary), who are elected annually from the newly inducted class. As Sphinx brings together the leaders of campus, the Chief carries the special honor of being the “leader of leaders.”

Sphinx membership is for life, and graduating members upon graduation join the ranks of an extensive alumni community that spans the U.S. and around the world. Sphinx’s alumni activities are organized by the Board of Governors, which further supports the current class of seniors through regular meetings, fundraising, and on-campus events logistical assistance. Sphinx alumni can be seen sporting their black and gold on campus from Homecoming Weekend each fall and for Sphinx’s Banquet and Alumni Weekend Champagne Brunch each spring.

As an assembly of Penn’s current and past student leaders, Sphinx provides a unique opportunity for its members to come together, build community, and create positive change at Penn, in Philadelphia, and beyond.