The Raven's Claw Society is an all-male senior honor society at Dickinson College. It was founded in 1896 and is the oldest senior or "hat society" on campus.
| Raven's Claw Society | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1896 Dickinson College |
| Type | Honor society |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Active |
| Emphasis | Senior males |
| Scope | Local |
| Chapters | 1 |
| Nickname | Claws, White Hats |
| Headquarters | Carlisle, Pennsylvania United States |
History
edit
The Raven's Claw Society was founded in 1896 at Dickinson College as a senior honor society for male students.[1][2] Formed by seven members of the class of 1896, it was the college's first honor society.[3][4] Its founders wanted to encourage class and collage loyalty, create good fellowship, and continue college traditions.[4]
Historically, the Raven's Claw membership has consisted of seven students and two faculty advisors, with many members also belonging to social fraternities on campus.[5] The society prides itself in serving the Dickinson College and Carlisle, Pennsylvania communities through discreet service activities.[6]
The society's members participate in community service activities and raise funds for charities.[7] In honor of its centennial in 1996, it established the Raven's Claw Scholarship which is awards to students based on financial need.[4]
Symbols
editWhile the members of the group are known, the majority of their actions and traditions are concealed. Originally, the society's badge was a gold number seven on a black raven's claw.[4] In the 1920s, student members started wearing a white hat for special days on campus, resulting in Raven's Claw being known as one of Dickinson's "hat societies".[4][7] The hats represent unity and loyalty.[3] Members are called Claws or White Hats.[3][7]
Membership
editMembership is limited to seven senior men who are selected by the seven previous members.[8][3] The new members are chosen based on character, leadership, and involvement in the campus and community during their first three years at Dickinson College.[8][2] Infrequently, the society breaks with its traditions and inducts a faculty or staff members, such as coach Richard MacAndrews in 1943.[9]
During commencement weekend, members are inducted in a tapping ceremony at the old stone steps Old West.[10][3][4]
Notable members
editAcademia
edit- John E. Jones III, 30th President at Dickinson College and a former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania[4]
- Gilbert Malcolm, 23rd President of Dickinson College[11]
Business
edit- David Freysinger, Executive Vice President of Reliant Energy and CEO at GenOn Energy[12]
- George V. Hager, chairman and CEO of Genesis HealthCare Corporation[13]
- John R. Stafford, CEO of American Home Products[14][15]
Entertainment
edit- Philip Capice, television producer (Raven's Claw Productions)[16]
- John Griesemer, author, journalist, and actor[17][18]
- Byron Quann, president and chief executive officer of Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts[19]
Law
edit- James A. Kenney, III, Judge of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals[20]
- Richard Barclay Surrick, United States federal judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Politics
edit- Edward J. Bonin, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania
- Jim Gerlach, U.S. Representative and 2010 Gubernatorial Candidate from Pennsylvania[21]
- John D. Hopper Jr., Pennsylvania State Senator[22][23]
- Harry Nice, 50th Governor of Maryland[24]
- Henri S. Rauschenbach, Massachusetts State Congressman and Senator[25]
- S. Walter Stauffer, United States Representative from Pennsylvania and President of the National Lime Association[26]
- Dallas Winslow, Delaware Public Service Commissioner and Delaware State Senator[27]
- Samuel W. Witwer, politician credited as the "Father of the Illinois Constitution"[28][29]
- Robert E. Woodside, Jr., Pennsylvania State Congressman, Pennsylvania Attorney General and Superior Court Judge[30]
- Hugh B. Woodward, Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico[31]
Sports
edit- John Carroll, former Boston Celtics head coach
- Bernie Driscoll, Kutztown University head men's basketball coach[32]
- Jim Engles, New Jersey Institute of Technology head men's basketball coach[33]
- W. J. Gobrecht, football and basketball player and coach[34][4]
- Steve Hoffman, former NFL player and current NFL coach[35][36]
- Benjamin James (Honorary) athletics coach, educator, and college administrator[37][38]
- Leon Rose, president of the New York Knicks[39]
- Pete Sivess, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher[40]
- Dave Webster, Dickinson College head men's lacrosse coach[41]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Banta's Greek Exchange. Vol. 36, no. 1. The Collegiate Press/George Banta Company, Incorporated. January 1928. p. 63 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Thomas 'Tom' Joseph Wernoch". Newspapers.com. LNP Always Lancaster. 2024-06-04. p. A12. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ a b c d e "Raven's Claw | Chronicles". Dickinson College. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Bitts-Jackson, MaryAlice (April 10, 2023). "Raven's Claw Celebrates 125+ Years of Leadership, Scholarship, Service". Dickinson College. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "History of Raven's Claw". Raven Claw Society. Archived from the original on 2008-02-08. Retrieved 2024-11-16 – via web.archive.org.
- ^ Dickinson College - The Dickinsonian[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Atluri, Sai (October 2, 2020). "College Taps Newest Secret Society Classes". The Dickinsonian. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ a b "Camp Hill Man Joins College Honor Society". Newspapers.com. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: The Patriot-News. 1963-10-04. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "Students Honor Coach Mac Andrews. Ravens Claw Elects Popular Athletic Mentor". Newspapers.com. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Sentinel. 1943-02-02. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "Dickinson Opens 179th Commencement Tomorrow". Newspapers.com. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Sentinel. 1952-06-05. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ President Gilbert Malcolm Archived 2008-11-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Dave Freysinger, Reliant Energy Archived 2011-07-25 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ George Hager, Genesis Healthcare Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Stafford recognized as a Great American Business Leader of the 20th Century
- ^ Dickinson Receives Multi-Million Dollar Gift From Raven's Claw Member Archived 2005-01-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Remembering a Former Trustee and Television Pioneer". Archived from the original on 2010-02-02. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
- ^ John Griesemer Author Profile
- ^ Griesemer from IMDB
- ^ Byron Quann-Whitaker CEO
- ^ JAMES A. KENNEY III, Judge, Court of Special Appeals
- ^ Gerlach For PA
- ^ John D. Hopper - Dickinson Chronicles Archived 2007-08-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Legislative Journal, June 26, 1996 (Page 8)
- ^ Exhibit of Governors' Portraits in the Governor's Reception Room, Maryland State House
- ^ Henri Rauschenbach of Massachusetts Archived 2009-12-04 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ National Lime Association
- ^ Dallas Winslow
- ^ Witwer Hall, Dickinson College Archived 2008-10-07 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Quest for a Constitution: A Man Who Wouldn't Quit: A Political Biography of Samuel Witwer of Illinois
- ^ Robert Elmer Woodside, 1904-1998
- ^ Hugh B. Woodward Biography Archived 2007-04-30 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Bernie Driscoll Archived 2009-02-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Jim Engles, NJIT
- ^ "Gobrecht Receives Distinguished Dickinson Alumnus Award". Archived from the original on 2006-09-08. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
- ^ Steve Hoffman, Kansas City Chiefs Archived 2009-04-24 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Steve Hoffman, Miami Dolphins Archived 2007-10-19 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Benjamin D. James Archived 2008-05-12 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Benjamin James - Honorary President
- ^ Cavs.com’s Exclusive Interview with LeBron James, Agent Leon Rose, and Cavs’ GM Danny Ferry
- ^ Obituary for Peter J. Sivess Archived 2008-10-07 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Dave Webster, Claw of 1988[permanent dead link]