Cycen Fjodr

The Brotherhood of Cycen Fjodr, or simply Cycen Fjodr, is a senior secret society at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. It is the oldest senior society and the only known society of its kind on campus. The senior members are known as "Knights", and the freshmen members as "Serfs". Many of the University's most distinguished graduates were Knight Fjodr, including prominent business men and civil leaders. There are more buildings named after Knight Fjodr than any other student organization at SMU.

History

Cycen Fjodr was founded on November 1st, 1920, the Society had a public presence and members were generally well known. Also called a "men's honorary" Cycen Fjodr was considered an honor society unique to SMU. Rituals and secrets of the organization were not public in nature. Cycen Fjodr selected members every year in the fall on the steps of Dallas Hall in a tapping ceremony. In 1980 Cycen Fjodr was required to admit women due to Title IX regulations by the university.

Membership

Cycen Fjodr had a reputation of being elite due to its membership. Generally, members came from all backgrounds on campus but members tended to be high achievers academically. Most notable about the organization perhaps was the fact that Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker was a member. Cycen Fjodr is composed of ten outstanding men from the senior class. Leadership, scholarship, ability and interest displayed in student activities are given equal consideration each year in selecting new knights. Each knight selects a freshman to act as his serf throughout the year.

Members names and photos were published in the SMU yearbook, The Rotunda, every year. From time to time the organization's activities were reported in the SMU newspaper, The SMU Daily Campus.

All members were males until 1980 when the group was required by the university to stop being discriminatory to women. The group thereafter seceded from the university and started operating secretly.

Notable Alumni

Notable alumni of SMU and the organization are philanthropist J. Lindsay Embrey, billionaire businessmen and philanthropist Ray Lee Hunt, SMU running back Doak Walker, State Senator O.H. "Ike" Harris, bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South Hiram Abiff Boaz, and former SMU presidents Umphrey Lee and Willis M. Tate.

Status

There is no public knowledge of whether the organization still exists.