Sphinx was Penn’s first senior honor society founded by a group of prominent seniors in 1900. The Society was created with the fundamental purpose of furthering all Penn traditions, customs, and ideals. Members were easily spotted leading cheers at Penn’s sporting events, campus dinners, or on the way to class—all an undergraduate had to do was look for a black and gold cap emblazoned with the ancient Sphinx skull, worn every Tuesday of the academic year.

In its earliest days, Sphinx’s members served as official advisors to the administration. The Society served the University by proctoring exams, supervising class elections, presenting chapel services, orienting the freshman class, conducting smokers, as well as being referees in the annual freshman-sophomore class contests.