Cap and Skull is the oldest honor society at Rutgers University, founded on January 18, 1900.

Unlike other secret societies, admission to Cap and Skull is dependent upon excellence in academics, athletics, the arts and public service. Leadership and character are also important factors to membership.

Using these criteria, only eighteen new members, or less than one-half of one percent of a Rutgers College class, are selected to be tapped each year.

Paul Robeson, Class of 1919, said his greatest Rutgers achievement was not his fifteen varsity letters, his selection as an All-American football player, Phi Beta Kappa or as class valedictorian. It came when he was tapped for Cap and Skull.

Famous members include:

• Clifford P. Case, United States Senator
• Jay Chiat, Founder of Chiat-Day advertising
• Stanley N. Cohen, Pioneers of gene splicing
• Robert Cooke, First researcher to identify antihistamines
• Franklyn Johnson, President of three Universities
• Herbert Klein, Member, United States House of Representatives
• Charles Molnar, Inventor of the personal computer
• David A. Morse, Director-General of ILO who accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969 on behalf of the ILO
• Robert Nash, The first football player traded in the NFL and first Captain of the New York Giants
• Ozzie Nelson, The man who defined the television sitcom genre
• Richard Newcomb, Best-selling author of Iwo Jima! and Abandon Ship!.
• Paul Robeson, World-famous singer, athlete, actor and activist
• Joseph Siry, NASA Chief Scientist

External link

• Official Website