Ivy Club

Ivy Club is one of the oldest and most prestigious Princeton University eating clubs, founded in 1879 by Charles Scribner, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and other notable Princeton University alumni, including John Foster Dulles and Allen Dulles. The club's history is closely tied to that of Princeton University, with many of its members going on to become influential figures in American politics, such as Woodrow Wilson, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Bradley. The club's membership has also included notable figures from the world of literature, including F. Scott Fitzgerald and Edmund Wilson. Many members have also been involved in international relations, such as Henry Kissinger and George Kennan.

● History

The Ivy Club was founded in 1879, during a time of significant growth and change at Princeton University, with the help of McCosh Hall and Nassau Hall. The club's early years were marked by a strong sense of camaraderie and shared values, with members including Grover Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt. The club's history is also closely tied to that of other Princeton University eating clubs, such as Tiger Inn and Cannon Club, with which it has a long-standing rivalry, similar to the rivalry between Harvard University and Yale University. The club has also been influenced by the Princeton University faculty, including John Witherspoon and Woodrow Wilson, who later became the President of the United States. Many members have also been involved in World War I and World War II, including Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton.

● Membership

Membership in the Ivy Club is highly selective, with only a small number of Princeton University students invited to join each year, often based on their involvement in Princeton University organizations, such as the Princeton University Daily Princetonian and the Princeton University Tiger Magazine. The club's membership has included many notable figures, such as J. Paul Getty and Malcolm Forbes, as well as William F. Buckley Jr. and Whittaker Chambers. Members have also been involved in politics, including Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, and have worked for organizations such as the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Many members have also been involved in finance, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, and have worked for companies such as Microsoft and Google. The club's membership has also included notable figures from the world of entertainment, including Brooke Shields and David Duchovny.

● Buildings_and_Architecture

The Ivy Club is housed in a historic building on Prospect Avenue, designed by Ralph Adams Cram and Cram, Goodhue, and Ferguson, and features a mix of Gothic Revival and Colonial Revival architectural styles, similar to those found in Princeton University buildings such as Blair Hall and Dodge Hall. The building has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including a major renovation in the 1920s, led by John Russell Pope, and a more recent renovation in the 2000s, led by Robert A.M. Stern Architects. The club's building is also notable for its stained glass windows, designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and its wood paneling, crafted by skilled artisans from New York City. The building has been compared to other notable buildings, such as The Breakers and The Elms, in Newport, Rhode Island.

● Activities_and_Traditions

The Ivy Club is known for its vibrant social scene, with members participating in a range of activities, including formal dinners and parties, often featuring live music from Princeton University bands, such as the Princeton University Glee Club and the Princeton University Jazz Ensemble. The club also hosts a number of traditions, including an annual formal dance, similar to the Harvard University Hasty Pudding Club's annual Hasty Pudding Theatricals, and a Christmas party, often featuring a visit from Santa Claus. Members have also been involved in community service, including volunteering at Princeton Hospital and participating in Princeton University's Community Service program. Many members have also been involved in athletics, including Princeton University's football team and basketball team.

● Notable_Members

The Ivy Club has a long list of notable members, including U.S. Presidents Woodrow Wilson and John F. Kennedy, as well as business leaders such as J. Paul Getty and Malcolm Forbes. The club's membership has also included notable figures from the world of literature, including F. Scott Fitzgerald and Edmund Wilson, and from the world of entertainment, including Brooke Shields and David Duchovny. Many members have also been involved in politics, including Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, and have worked for organizations such as the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The club's membership has also included notable figures from the world of finance, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, and have worked for companies such as Microsoft and Google. Members have also been involved in international relations, such as Henry Kissinger and George Kennan, and have worked for organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.

● Controversies_and_Criticism

The Ivy Club has not been without controversy, with some critics accusing the club of being elitist and exclusive, similar to criticisms leveled against other Princeton University eating clubs, such as Tiger Inn and Cannon Club. The club has also faced criticism for its lack of diversity, with some arguing that the club's membership does not reflect the diversity of the Princeton University student body, similar to criticisms leveled against other Ivy League universities, such as Harvard University and Yale University. However, the club has taken steps in recent years to increase diversity and inclusion, including implementing new membership policies and hosting events aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion, such as the Princeton University Diversity and Inclusion initiative. Many members have also been involved in social justice movements, including the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Rights Movement, and have worked for organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Category:Princeton University