Student Organizations

The St. John’s Literary Union, the first student organization, was founded in 1871-1872 during the second academic year since St. John’s University's founding. Another literary organization, the Sparks Literary Society, was founded in 1891. These photographs show the St. John’s Literary Union and Sparks Literary Society during the 1900-1901 academic year. This was the beginning of a legacy of the numerous student organizations that are active today.

St. John's Literary Union 1900-1901 — The members of the St. John's Literary Union during the 1900-1901 academic year.

Sparks Literary Society 1900-1901 — The members of the Sparks Literary Society during the 1900-1901 academic year.

Some other milestones include:

Merchant of Venice in College Hall May 29,1902 — The earliest photograph of a student performance group is this production of "The Merchant of Venice" which took place in the St. John's College Hall Auditorium on May 29,1902.

Law School Alumni Association 1931 — The first alumni group formed was the Alumni Association in 1881. The Law School Alumni Association was founded in 1929; here they are pictured in 1931.

Student Council 1928 — The first student government group formed was the Student Council c.1922-1923. The Student Council of St. John's College is pictured here in 1928.

The Clio Club, 1927 — The first political affairs organization was The Clio Club (study of international problems) formed in 1927 at the School of Law.

Skull and Circle 1928 — The first honor society formed was Skull and Circle in 1928, seen here in 1929.

Sigma Lambda Phi 1918 — The first fraternity at St. John's was Sigma Lambda Phi in 1917. The group is seen here in 1918.

Tau Upsilon Delta Sorority 1931 — The first sorority at St. John's was the Tau Upsilon Delta Sorority, Gamma Chapter, at the School of Law in 1926. The group is pictured here in 1931.

Catholic War Veterans 1947 — The first student veterans organization was the Catholic War Veterans, in approximately 1947. "The Catholic War Veterans Post No. 704 held a formal installation of officers in DeGray [Gymnasium] this year."

Haraya 1968 — The first Black student organization formed was Haraya in 1968.

Chinese Cultural Society 1971 — The first Asian student organization formed was the Chinese Cultural Society in 1969. The group is seen here in 1971.

Ecology Club, c.1971 — The first environmental organization was the Ecology Club formed c.1971.