who we are
About The Aurelian Honor Society
Since 1910, members of Aurelian have made meaningful differences at Yale and in society through their commitment to scholarship and service.
where it started
Our History
How it Began
At the beginning of the 20th century, Yale University had two separate undergraduate colleges, each with separate facilities, administrations, and student bodies. One of these, the Sheffield Scientific School, suffered from student divisiveness due to an active Greek system that separated fraternities from each other, and those who were not in fraternities from those who were.
In the spring of 1910, seniors Lindell T. Bates and Loomis Havemeyer, recognizing the fragmentation of the student body and lack of unified leadership, founded the Aurelian Honor Society for seniors “who would not labor under unnecessary handicaps which separated the existing clubs from the student body”. Membership in this Society would be offered to outstanding “Sheff” students of good scholarship and extracurricular achievement. In addition, the Society was to elect three honorary members annually.
The purpose of the honor society was to formulate mature undergraduate opinion on those matters affecting the vital interests of the Sheffield Scientific School, both internally and in its relations with the rest of the University.
Our Name
The name was chosen in honor of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, whose career and philosophy represented those ideas for which the organization wished to strive.
These ideals are symbolized by the Society’s emblem: a seven- pointed star surrounded by a wreath. The wreath represents a reward of merit, and the star stands for a single body (originally seven members) radiating light in the seven principal lines of college activity—Scientific, Athletic, Literary, Oratorical, Executive, Scholarship, and Religious.
The Constitution of the Society was written in 1910 and updated most recently in 2009. It reads, “The object of this Society shall be to encourage and promote high moral character, honorable conduct and the molding of one’s career to a life of service to the community, and moreover, to bring the active members into contact with the honorary members who shall have been selected with the view that their careers shall be a source of inspiration.
Aurelian Throughout the Years
1910
The Aurelian Honor Society is founded by Lindell T. Bates and Loomis Havemeyer.
1932
1935
The society votes to give the University $250 to make a film of “Life at Yale” to be sent to alumni meetings throughout the US.
1952
1953
The Aurelian Scholarship is established.
1955
Loomis Havemeyer publishes “The Aurelian honor society of Yale University and its times: 1910-1955.”
1970
Aurelian becomes the first society to accept members from all schools within the Yale University.
1971
Loomis Havemeyer dies after a career at Yale that began in 1913. He is awarded the Yale Medal in 1967.
1981
2009
2010
The 100th Anniversary is celebrated with a reception for alumni at the Yale Club of NYC.
2014
Aurelian provides a living stipend for a student attending Yale’s Sherwin Nuland Summer Bioethics Institute.
2021
A permanent meeting space is acquired within the Graduate Club, and is named the Aurelian Reading Room.
our dedicated members
Board of Trustees
The Trustees of the Aurelian Honor Society, Inc. provide leadership and fiduciary support for the society as a whole. Our activities embody, sustain, and promote the objectives of the Society and safeguard the Society’s historic relationship with Yale University.
The Trustees promote tax-free giving to the Yale Endowment, the Robert O’Connor Scholarship Fund and alumni Class Funds. The income from our alumni investments in the Yale Endowment coupled with annual dues paid by alumni allows us to conduct prize programs at secondary schools and to distribute various scholarships and gifts in the name of the Society.
Annually, each Delegation receives support from the Trustees for their campus activities, service initiatives, and engagement with honorary members.
Class of ’72
Brian Mitchell
Class of ’71
Alan Yuseph
Class of ’16
Meredith Boardman
Class of ’74
John Gulliver
Class of ’89
Whitney Stewart
Class of ’84
Ellen Owens
Class of ’95
Jeremy Monthy
Trustee
Class of ’14
Benjamin Barasch
Trustee
Emeritus Board Members
1910 Founder
Co-Founder
’45W Chairman Emeritus
Robert O’Connor
’45W Chairman Emeritus
’45W
’07
’07
’11
’13
’98
help Empower Our Communities
Join Us in Making a Difference
Through our outreach and giving programs, we encourage high moral character and honorable conduct at the collegiate level while reaching beyond Yale to serve our communities.