On the surface, the Sigma Lambda Delta Duskies and the William Jennings Bryan Bears societies have little in common. To state the obvious: One is for men; the other is for women. They have different brother and sister societies (The Theta Kappa Chi Stallions and the Chi Kappa Delta Dragons, respectively). While there is some overlap in their interests and activities, they have completely distinct personalities. However, both societies trace their origins back to the year that BJU was founded in Bay County, Florida. Both will celebrate their 100th anniversaries next school year, honoring a legacy of joyful fellowship and Christian service.
That Was Then…
In 1927, Bob Jones College established four literary societies for their students—Sigma Lambda Delta and Sigma Kappa Rho for women: Chi Delta Theta and William Jennings Bryan for men. Little is known today about what they were originally like, but school records provided by John Matzko, BJU’s historical consultant, help to paint a clearer picture of their past.
These literary societies were very different from the societies we know today, and their primary focus was intellectual pursuits. For years, they regularly competed in debates with each other where the men faced off against the women for a “handsome silver cup” awarded by the college. In December 1927, Sigma Lambda Delta—also known as the Gypsies—competed with the Bears for the trophy, which they won.
Dr. Bob Jones, Jr. was a member of the Bears team that year alongside Linwood Wilson and Eugene Smith. The Gypsies’ team consisted of Ruth Mahan, Evelynn Howell, and Dorothy Harris, who, in following years, would establish their society’s reputation as skilled debaters. Interestingly, the Gypsies and Bryan were never paired as brother/sister societies at any time, though they did collaborate on projects.
The interests of these societies began to shift as decades passed. Although the Bears retained scholastic pursuits, they also demonstrated an aptitude for intersociety sports such as football, softball, basketball and volleyball. The November 1936 issue of the school’s “Conqueror” publication recorded their victory over the Pi Gamma Delta society in a football match, and they placed second overall that season.
The Gypsies competed in intersociety sports as well, winning trophies in girls basketball and track in 1940. (The Bears took the boys trophy for basketball that year.) They were also known for arts and crafts, a popular group hobby that continues today.
In 1955, the Gypsies changed their name to the Queens and established several new traditions. The most well-known was having freshmen kneel on a purple pillow to be crowned as queens during induction, which led to them being nicknamed “Princesses.”
Twenty years later, they changed their name to the Duskies, adopting the endangered bird as their mascot. It was meant as a statement—the Duskies had shrunk during that time, and they wanted to reaffirm that they were not going away any time soon.
For their part, the Bears never changed their name. They are still officially the Bryan Literary Society, although few people know them by that title. “We are Bryan,” is a fairly new mantra that members like to use to define themselves.
…This Is Now
Today, the focus of the two societies has changed again, both with the decline of intersociety sports and differing interests of newer members.
“It can be very easy to come to society and just see it as another required activity,” said Abigail Woo, president of the Duskies. “Our desire this semester is to make society a place of spiritual refreshment.”
The Bears have experienced a number of “freshman takeovers,” most notably in 2022, but remain one of the smaller societies on campus. This helps to reinforce their identity as a tightly-knit band of brothers, with a vast array of majors and interests. They enjoy spending time together as well as going out for joint events and outreaches with their sister society, the Dragons. One of their favorite joint events is their annual Bonfire, and they also hold an axe-throwing competition every year during Bible Conference.
“When I rushed, there were about 12 guys in the society,” said Jimmy Chisolm, president of Bryan. “The officers during my freshman year were very down-to-earth, which made it easy to talk to them and get a feel for what the society was like.”
At the society’s core is a deep appreciation for their history as one of BJU’s oldest societies, a society that both Dr. Bob Jr. and Dr. Bob Jones III were a part of.
“We are an eclectic group with many different personalities, interests, skills and abilities,” Chisholm said. “But we get along due to out easygoing nature and brotherhood in Christ.”
As for the Duskies, they have become one of the larger societies thanks to multiple freshman takeovers. While craftwork is no longer a major part of their identity, many are still interested in sports like their predecessors. Their members are heavily involved in Bruins sports, including basketball, track and field, cross country, soccer and volleyball. Like the Bears, their society consists of several different majors—nursing, kinesiology, graphic design, and education.
“A typical school year for the Duskies include multiple joint activities, including Friday society meetings, prayer meeting, outreaches and activities,” Woo said. “We usually do a weekend-long joint activity to a camp to help the staff there. We also plan an activity to go to an apple orchard as a society. We also do a joint Christmas party with a hot chocolate bar, snacks and games.”
One important thing that hasn’t changed in 100 years is the Duskies’ mutual commitment to fostering unity in Christ.
“Sisterhood was a big part of who Duskies were 99 years ago and is something that is still a core part of who we are today,” Woo said. “Our desire for this society is to see it grow closer together and become a place of encouragement and spiritual growth.”