About

Since its creation in 1904, Lock and Chain has been a strong presence at Washington University in Saint Louis. This sophomore honorary was originally formed by 6 fraternity men in order to improve the social life on campus; it has since evolved tremendously. Lock and Chain is now comprised of 15 active members coming together from all 5 schools with different backgrounds, ideas, and goals. According to Erin Harkless, a member of the 99th class of Lock and Chain,

"Lock and Chain was one of the most positive experiences of my time at Wash U. It provided an opportunity to work with fourteen other amazing individuals, build strong relationships with them, and participate in service activities on campus and in the greater St. Louis community; The best part about the organization is the people..."

The fifteen members that form the active class have the opportunity to mold Lock and Chain into precisely the organization they were hoping to join, incorporating over a century of tradition into programming designed to fit their own sophomore class. The honorary has no form of hierarchy: each member contributes equally to tasks at hand by volunteering to chair an event. The group meets once per week at a minimum, discussing upcoming events and recapping those that have just passed. The active class sets the day and time for these meetings, and they are not open to the student body.

     For many members of Lock and Chain, it is impossible to describe why exactly it is so great. Every event is yet another opportunity to get to know each other, and it is truly amazing how fast the time passes. Lock and Chain 106 represented 3 different countries and 9 different states, bringing together 8 females and 7 males from 4 different schools. As Lauren Carothers, Lock and Chain 102, describes the Lock and Chain family only months after her initiation, 

"Being initiated is like being asked to be a part of history as it's unfolding. It's adding 14 members to your immediate family, and hundreds to your extended family. It's an honor and a privilege..."

Please explore this webpage to learn more about the events Lock and Chain organizes each year, its past members, and how to become a member of Lock and Chain. If you have further questions regarding this organization, feel free to see our Frequently Asked Questions or Contact Us.