Stoic Society records
04.SS

Summary Information

Repository
Eastern Michigan University Archives
Title
Stoic Society records
ID
04.SS
Date [inclusive]
1909-1990
Extent
1.6 Linear feet 3 archive boxes and 1 flat box
Language
English
Abstract
The Stoic Society collection documents the Stoic Society at Eastern Michigan University from 1909 until 1990. The Stoic Society has grown with the University and currently offers twelve scholarships and loan funds commemorating outstanding faculty members. The traditional banquet, Spring Breakfast, and reception for new members are the Society's annual events. The collection is arranged into five series:  Administrative Files including historical sketches of the Stoic Society, meeting minutes, and Treasurer’s book, Clippings,  Events, General Files from 1952 until 1974,   Members, and  Scholarships. This is not a complete record of the Stoic Society. While the society is still an active honor society on campus, there are no records in the collection after 1990.

Preferred Citation note

Please cite materials from the University Archives in the following manner: Item. Collection Title. Eastern Michigan University Archives.

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Historical Note

The Stoic Society was names after the teachings of the Greek philosopher, Zeno, who said that a true Stoic was strong, calm and unmoved by good or bad fortune. Eastern Michigan University's oldest honorary society had its beginnings in January, 1909, at an informal gathering of students in the home of Mr. J. Stuart Lathers, Head of the Department of Oratory.

Early on the organization was simple and informal with no dues, no officers, and no constitution. The group had no name until after several meetings, when Clark Davis suggested Stoic Society. Stoic meetings were held at irregular intervals during the year to discuss topics of general interest, hear speakers, sponsor plays, etc.

The Stoic Society really came to the attention of the student body late in the spring of 1909 when it sponsored a play by a traveling group known as the Ben Greet Players. Proceeds from this performance began a scholarship fund to encourage promising second year students to return for a third year of study because at the time it was customary for those preparing to teach to remain only two years.

Clare Milton received the first scholarship granted by the Society, which was also the first such award ever given at the Michigan State Normal College. He and his ten fellow nominees were made members of the Stoic Society, and it was this move which marked the beginning of the organization's history as an honor society.

By 1921 it was decided that the recipient of the scholarship should keep the minutes for the ensuing year. Since then it has been customary for the officers of the Stoic Society to receive scholarships in return for their services. Stoic-of-the-Year awards are also made to a member or members who have worked particularly hard for the organization.

Many of the activities of the early Stoic Society centered around raising funds for scholarships. The organization sponsored plays and traveling entertainment groups, sold ice cream at commencement time, and began a White Elephant Sale.

The first annual banquet was held in 1913 for the purpose of presenting to the school the E.A. Strong Scholarship fund. It was not until 1928 that a system of announcing the recipients at a Spring breakfast and awarding the actual scholarship at a banquet the following winter took place.

The procedure for selecting and receiving new members has changed over the years. Today nominees are informed of their selection for the Society on the basis of their academic standing after their sophomore year. Previously faculty members recommended student for membership using the following guidelines: 1. High standard of scholarship, 2. Interest and helpfulness in general school affairs, 3. Moral Responsibility, 4. Active rather than passive ability in recitation, i.e., initiative.

The Stoic Society has grown with the University. It has a total of twelve scholarships and loan funds commemorating outstanding faculty members. The traditional banquet, Spring Breakfast, and reception for new members are continued as annual events.

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Scope and Contents note

The Stoic Society collections documents the Stoic Society at Eastern Michigan University. The records span from 1909 until 1990 with gaps in the historical records. The collection is comprised of clippings, programs, and constitutions from the Stoic Society at Eastern Michigan University and is arranged in five series:   Administrative Files, Clippings, Events, General Files, Members, and  Scholarships.

The Administrative Files series concerns budget and finance, the constitution, correspondence, and the secretary’s and treasurer’s book. There is one file with newspaper  clippings the bulk of this file is from the 1960s. The  Events series contains the announcements, flyers, and programs from events that the Stoic Society held such as the Annual Banquet and the May Breakfast. This series also contains information on the 50th Anniversary celebration. The   General Files are from 1952 until 1974, these files include correspondence, events, and planning information during these years.  Members series includes membership lists as well as alumni information cards. The Stoic Society is well known for the numerous scholarships that the society funded. The  Scholarships series includes information on some of these scholarships including the Benjamin D’Ooge and Margaret M. Robinson scholarships.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Eastern Michigan University Archives 2012 February 6

Halle Library, Room 310
Ypsilanti, Michigan, 48197
734-487-0020

Conditions Governing Access note

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

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Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Michigan State Normal College.

Subject(s)

  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Michigan State Normal College
  • Students

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Collection Inventory

Administrative Files 

Biographical Sketches 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 1

Budget and Finance 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 2

Certificates 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 3

Constitution 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 4

Correspondence 1962-1986 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 5

Forms 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 6

Framed Certificate 1948 


    Box Object
Text (32307023991988)   3 2

Historical Sketches of the Stoic Society 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 7

In Memoriam: Edwin Atson Strong 


    Box Object
Text (32307023991988)   3 1

Meeting Minutes 1982 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 8

Pledge 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 9

Secretary's Book 1909-1915 


    Box Object
Text (32307023991988)   3 3

Secretary's Book 1935-1954 


    Box Object
Text (32307023991988)   3 4

Songs 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 10

Stationary 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 11

Treasurer's Book 1933-1953 


    Box Object
Text (32307023991988)   3 5

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Clippings 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 12

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Events 

Announcement/ Flyers 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 13

Invitiations 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 14

Annual Banquet Programs 1937-1987 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 15

May Breakfast Programs 1940-1968 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 16

Programs 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 17

50th Anniversary 1959 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 18

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General Files 

 1952-1974 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991962)   1 19-21
    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 1-6

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Members 

Officers 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 7

members, officers 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 8

Box

Alumni Information Cards 

 4

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Scholarships 

General 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 9

Benjamin D'Ooge 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 19

Carl E. Pray 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 16

Daniel and Mary B. Putnam 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 17

E.A. Strong 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 18

Elizabeth Simpson 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 21

Julia Anne King 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 10

J. Milton Hover 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 11

J. Stuart Lathers 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 12

Lucy Osband 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 13

L.H. Jones 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 14

Margaret M. Robinson 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 20

Nathan A. Harvey 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991970)   2 15

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