Considering the Past: Topics in M.C. History

From the very beginning of the Baptist Female University, the Trustees determined that there would be no sororities (or fraternities) at the school; such organizations were thought to be secretive and divisive. Instead, shortly after the college opened its doors in 1899, two literary societies were formed by dividing the student body evenly between “Club A” and “Club B.”

Soon officially renamed the Astrotekton and Philaretian Literary societies, each club adopted a motto, flower, song and colors. With limited opportunities for other diversions on the small campus, the weekly Saturday night meetings in their designated halls provided entertainment and uplift in the form of speakers, the production of plays, themed parties, or forums to discuss culture, literature, and politics. The 1901-1902 Catalogue described the goals of the societies as aiding "materially in cultivating a taste for reading, in learning something of practical affairs, in forming correct habits of thought and expression, in becoming familiar with parliamentary usage , and in gaining confidence and becoming able to act independently." For a few years, the societies were responsible for creating the yearbook, The Oak Leaves, as well as sponsoring an annual essay competition. At the end of the year, as part of the events surrounding graduation, Society Night celebrated those who had excelled during the year. When the college moved to the new campus in 1926, each organization still had its own meeting hall in the Administration Building (Johnson Hall.) Identification with one or the other society was so important that memberships were listed in the yearbooks next to seniors’ photographs.

Over the years, the literary element of the clubs was eliminated - disappearing officially in 1950 -  and the focus of the clubs became more social and service-oriented. Membership in one or the other organization had become self-selective so that, shortly after the start of the academic year, new students chose one of the two clubs during Rush Week - culminating on “Decision Day.” The “Phi Bear,” (first named “Phi-do,” then “Milton), or the “Astro Goat” ("Billy") mascots became prominent symbols as the societies competed for members with picnics, mock weddings, bon fires and fashion shows. Once all was decided, the Astros had a fun, informal initiation, while the Phi's had a candlelit installation of new members. 

The societies provided marshals (each electing a Chief Marshal, and a Senior, Junior and Sophomore Marshal) for the graduation ceremonies and attendants for the May Day court. In the early 1970s, while service projects and fundraising continued, membership in one or the other  of the two societies became voluntary. While the clubs’ missions continued to evolve for the times, students faced competing demands on their attention and the clubs last appeared in the yearbook in 1996.