The Philomathes Society was founded at Bridgewater College in the spring of 1961, although it was originally known as the Lambda Society.  It includes both Bridgewater College Faculty (with at least one year of service) and student members.  To be a student member of Philomathes, you must have completed 30 credit hours, have a 3.4 GPA, have satisfactory grades in convocation attendance and be in good standing with the college. 

Over the years the student members of the Society have admirably reflected the qualities of scholarship and service engendered by both the Philomathes Society and by Bridgewater College.  Many members have graduated from Bridgewater with Latin honors, and many have attended graduate and professional schools.  Others have applied their academic training to make significant contributions to our society in their vocations and civic assignments as well as to Bridgewater College. 

PHILOMATHES, The Word

The Greek word Philomathes  (fillo-MAY-thus), comes from the Greek roots philo and philein  meaning "to love" and the Greek roots mathos (MAH-thos) and  mathesis (muh-THAYSIS) meaning "learning."

Literally then, Philomathes (fillo-MAY-thus) means "love of learning." This title also has the connection in meaning to the title of the journal of student scholarship, the Philomathean (fillo-MAY-theon), published on our campus each Spring.

The Purpose of the Philomathes Society

The purpose of the Philomathes Society of Bridgewater College is three-fold:  first, to honor scholarship; second, to encourage intellectual inquiry, research, and creativity in the liberal arts; and finally, to reward outstanding achievements among students, alumni, and faculty.  These goals are pursued through a variety of methods.  We sponsor outstanding alumni and other scholars in our campus community.  We give special recognition and membership to alumni who have distinguished themselves, and during the Bridgewater College Awards Banquet each spring, we honor two of our members with a scholarship designed to defray the cost of textbooks.