Cum Laude Society
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2007) |
| Cum Laude Society | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1906 Tome School |
| Type | Honor |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Active |
| Emphasis | High School Scholastics |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | Areté, Diké, Timé "Excellence, Justice, Honor" |
| Chapters | 382 |
| Members | 4,000 active |
| Former name | Alpha Delta Tau |
| Headquarters | 9462 Brownsboro Road, Suite #359 Louisville, Kentucky 40241 United States |
| Website | www |
The Cum Laude Society is an organization that honors academic achievement at secondary institutions, similar to the Phi Beta Kappa, which honors academic achievements at the university level.
History
[edit]The Cum Laude Society was founded at the Tome School in 1906 as the Alpha Delta Tau fraternity.[1] Its founder was Dr. A. W. Harris, then director of the Tome School.[2] It was established to encourage and recognize scholastic achievement in secondary schools.[2] Harris also wanted to encourage community and alumni support for secondary schools.[2]
Alpha Delta Tau was created to be similar to the collegiate society, Phi Beta Kappa.[3] It was the first organization of its type for secondary schools in the United States.[2] Only the top fifth of a school senior class was eligible for membership in the fraternity.[4] Originally, it admitted both students and faculty.[2] Its first president was Robert W. Tunstall, head of the ancient languages department at Tome.[2]
The fraternity held its first national convention at Boston University in January 1909.[4] Delegates attended from Tome School, Evanston Academy, Phillips Exeter Academy, and William Penn Charter School.[4] Harris, then president of Northwestern University, became the first president general.[4] Dr. H. L. Rich of Tome School was elected its first secretary general.[4] The fraternity's board of regents set goals of expansion, countering the influence of athletics, and encouraging support for academics.[4]
Alpha Delta Tau changed its name to the Cum Laude Society in 1916.[3] Today, it has 382 chapters; all but twenty are at private or independent schools in the United States. Its national headquarters is in Louisville, Kentucky.
Symbols
[edit]The society's Greek motto is Areté, Diké, Timé, which translates as "Excellence, Justice, Honor".[5]
Membership
[edit]Approximately 4,000 students are inducted into Cum Laude Society each year.[6] Participating secondary institutions may nominate up to twenty percent of their graduating class for induction into the society.
Chapters
[edit]The Cum Laude Society has 382 chapters in eight geographic districts across the United States and abroad.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ The Tome School "Our History". Retrieved 2019-05-04.
- ^ a b c d e f "Students Have a Banquet". The Baltimore Sun. 1907-03-19. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-06-25 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Maryland Boy Elected to Membership in Cum Laude Society". The Evening Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. 1916-05-30. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-06-25 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f "Dr. Rich, of Tome Elected". The Baltimore Sun. 1909-01-01. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-06-25 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Basic Facts" (PDF). Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ "About the Cum Laude Society". Retrieved 23 February 2022.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
