Frequently Asked Questions

WHO ARE MEMBERS OF SKULL AND BONES HONOR SOCIETY?
The active membership of Skull and Bones is comprised of senior and last-semester junior undergraduate students at the Pennsylvania State University. 

HOW, WHEN AND WHY ARE THEY CHOSEN?
The current student members of the Society determine who is asked to be a new member. New members are chosen in the fall and spring of each year.  The primary criteria for membership is outstanding humble service and leadership to the Pennsylvania State University community. 

CAN ANYONE BE A MEMBER?
You must be a student at Penn State University to be a member.  Associate membership is offered to outstanding Penn State graduate students.  Honorary membership is offered to outstanding individuals who demonstrate humble service and leadership to the Pennsylvania State University community. 

ARE WE AFFILIATED WITH SKULL AND BONES AT YALE?
The Penn State Skull and Bones Honor Society is not affiliated with the Yale Skull and Bones organization. 

ARE WE AFFILIATED WITH ANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE MASONS?
The Skull and Bones Honor Society at Penn State is a University-approved organization unaffiliated with any national, regional or local organizations inside or outside of the University.

ARE THERE OTHER HONOR SOCIETIES AT PENN STATE?
There are currently two other known University-approved student honor societies at Penn State.  They are: Lion's Paw and Parmi Nous. Between the early 1900's and the 1960's there existed up to nine other honor societies such as Scrolls (senior women), Mortar Board (senior women), Chimes (junior women), Androcles (junior men), Blue Key (junior men), Cwens (sophomore women), Druids (sophomore men), Friars (sophomore men), Sphinx (freshman women), and Delphi (freshman men), however most no longer exist.

HOW AND WHEN WAS SKULL AND BONES AT PENN STATE STARTED?
Please click HERE to read a detailed account of the history of the Society at Penn State.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ON SKULL AND BONES AT PENN STATE?
The Historical Digital Collegian Archive in the Penn State University Libraries is an outstanding source of information.  It contains a searchable archive of every issue of the student newspaper published between 1887 and 1987. Click HERE to be directed to this resource.
In addition, all back issues of The Daily Collegian from 1988 to present are archived and searchable on their website.  Click HERE to be directed to this resource. 

Skull and Bones Alumni Interest Group
210 West Hamilton Avenue
Suite 183
State College, PA  16801