Drake University’s intellectual and cultural student life is as old as the University itself. In the years after Drake’s founding in 1881, students created several organizations that all focused on a shared love — reading. 

The first six student organizations were all literary societies; however, it is difficult to date which holds the title of first student organization. The earliest records in the Drake University Archives are for the Lucretian Society and the Philomathean Society. 

The Lucretian Society

While there are limited records for the Lucretian Literary Society, the minutes and the constitution show a community that loved literature and encouraged one another. In 1881, their president was C.L. Hays; others in roles of leadership included B.E. Shepard. 

The Philomathi Society 

The Philomathi Society held its first recorded meeting in September 1881. There are records of the constitution, meeting minutes and the articles of incorporation.

“Its [Philomathi Society] aim shall be to advance its members in literary culture,” the articles state.  

The first president of this organization was B.A. Wilkinson, who is also listed as a founding member of the organization in its constitution. C.L. Hays and B.E. Shepard were also founding members of the Philomathi Society, which suggests an interconnection between these societies. 

There was also a slight name change at some point. Original records of the society refer to it as the Philomathi; however, more recent literature in the archives on student organizations and culture refers to this society as the Philomathean Literary Society.     

The Athenian Society

The Athenian Society is the third-oldest and has records dating back to 1883. While its primary focus was literature, there was also a larger appreciation for the arts within the society. 

“The officers of this society shall consist of a President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Marshalls, Critics, Chaplain, Director of Music, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian,” states Article 3 Section 1 of the society’s constitution. 

All of these roles indicate a key interest and respect for art forms and fields of study besides literature. Records show that most society meetings would have some sort of musical entertainment scheduled, whether it be a pianist or a singer. 

 Besides the constitution, the archives also contain meeting minutes, a photograph from 1889 and the society’s bylaws. 

The Alethian Society

The Alethian Society dates back to at least 1885, and meeting minutes show musicians were often invited to perform. Most meetings began with music as members would ease into conversations, specifically singers and a piano solo or duet. The Alethians would meet in Levitt Hall at Old Main for an evening of appreciation of the arts. 

The Berean Society 

The Berean Society has records going back to 1885. For their exhibition that year in early June, as the exhibition program shows, they had several musicians performing and society members presenting their own poems and essays. 

Early student organizations were mainly focused on literature; however, as the years went on, these societies broadened their scopes. The earlier societies do not have records of as direct of a connection to music or other art forms besides literature, but there is a certain importance placed on music. A receipt from 1892 shows that the Philomathi Society spent its own funds to have a piano tuned. The cost of tuning the piano was $2.50, which is about $100 with inflation.