About
The Wheel and Chain senior women’s honorary society was founded in 1924 to recognize Dickinson women with demonstrated leadership skills, fine personal character and active involvement on campus and in the local community. Each spring, ten junior-year women are “tapped,” or inducted, on the steps of Old West. A few weeks later, the new Wheel and Chain members ring the bell in Denny Hall during Commencement.
Members are called “blue hats” in reference to the group’s emblematic blue caps. Throughout their senior year, they serve as catalysts for women’s empowerment on campus. Student-members also promote communication and collaboration across campus women’s groups and often select their own service initiatives.
All Dickinsonians are invited to celebrate Wheel and Chain’s legacy of women’s leadership by attending the society’s annual public tapping ceremony.
Building a Lasting Legacy at Dickinson
Beyond their service to the college as students, the members of Wheel and Chain continue to make a lasting impact at Dickinson throughout their lives, including through support of the Wheel and Chain Leadership Award. The award was established in 1997.
The Wheel and Chain Leadership Award is awarded to applicants demonstrating merit, vigorous participation in campus activities, service to the college and community, strong leadership skills, high personal character and strong academic performance. Recipients are selected during the second semester of their sophomore year by a committee of Wheel and Chain alumnae and honorary members.
To show your support for student-leaders through a gift to the Wheel and Chain Leadership Award, visit www.dickinson.edu/gift, select “other” in the designation field and write “Wheel and Chain Leadership Award” in the text box that appears.
Wheel and Chain in Action
“Blue hats” are invited to socialize with one another on Facebook and to network on LinkedIn.
All who wish to learn more about Wheel and Chain are invited to:
- view the 100th anniversary tapping ceremony recording online (April 20, 2024);
- browse our 100th anniversary photo album and memories booklet (created April 2024);
- explore memorabilia and photos from the Dickinson College Archives; and
- learn more about all of Dickinson’s hat societies, courtesy of John R. Heath ’71.