Red Dragon Society

The Red Dragon Society is a secret society based at New York University, in New York, New York. It is one of the oldest student secret societies in the United States, along with Skull and Bones of Yale University [citation | title = A century of secrets, NYU's secret alumni society | first = Kiki | last = Von Glinow | url = http://media.www.nyunews.com/media/storage/paper869/news/2007/02/21/Features/A.Century.Of.Secrets-2733009.shtml | newspaper = Washington Square News | date = February 2, 2007 | accessdate = 2007-10-12] [citation | title = NYU Paper Reveals Secret, But Apparently University-Run, Red Dragon Society | url = http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2007/02/nyu_paper_reveals_secret_but_a.html | newspaper = New York Magazine | date = February 21, 2007 | accessdate = 2007-10-13] . The Red Dragon has maintained its selective membership and is notorious for its secrecy since its founding in 1898.

History

Founded in 1898, the Red Dragon Society inducts only rising seniors from the College of Arts and Science prior to their graduation. By reputation, "Dragons" tapped were mavericks in some way.

The society has existed continually since its founding over a century ago and has inducted members annually, however in 1978, the society became inactive after the contact list was misplaced. The society members later reinitiated the society's traditions and the Red Dragon continues to induct members annually. While the precise requirements to be inducted as a "Dragon" are largely unknown to those outside the society, they each seem to share in certain prestigious qualifications: outstanding academic excellence, significant contributions to school and community, an intuitive sense of leadership, and a dedication to moral action. To date, the Red Dragon Society is the only secret society at NYU that inducts both women and men.

In January 2002, the Bun, an NYU tradition, diappeared from College of Arts and Science Dean Matthew Santirocco's desk and days later the dean received a ransom note reading, "I have the bun" [citation | title = Bun week toast if roll isn't recovered | first = Amelia | last = Branigan | url = http://media.www.nyunews.com/media/storage/paper869/news/1997/01/01/UndefinedSection/Bun-Week.Toast.If.Roll.Isnt.Recovered-2394255.shtml | newspaper = Washington Square News | date = February, 2002 | accessdate = 2007-10-13] . The "Bun bandits" remained at large for several months and taunted the Dean with photos and kidnap notes [citation | title = Thieves taunt dean with pics of fake bun | last = WSN Staff Reports | url = http://media.www.nyunews.com/media/storage/paper869/news/1997/01/01/UndefinedSection/Thieves.Taunt.Dean.With.Pics.Of.Fake.Bun-2393837.shtml | newspaper = Washington Square News | accessdate = 2007-10-13] , and the Society facilitated its return to Dean Santirocco.

Dragons

The new inductees are selected utilizing an ancient (and still) secret formula by members of the Society. But the names of each new class was published during some period of time. Dragons can be identified at University events, such as commencement ceremonies in Washington Square Park, with Red Dragon Society pins. The Dragons have maintained its selective membership and secrecy with meetings and practices.

ee also

*Collegiate secret societies in North America
*Secret society

References