The Medusa Tapping

Scott Reynolds ’63

For many years, the Main Quad was the location of one of Trinity’s most important student ceremonies, the Medusa tapping. Founded in 1892, the Medusa became the highest nonacademic honor at Trinity. The seven ‘retiring’ senior class members selected their replacements and on an early May evening emerged single file from the Chapel, proceeding to the Main Quad, where the student body had assembled. The Medusa weaved through the crowd until all the new members had been located. Then, one by one, the old members tapped the new members and disappeared into the Chapel. As the society evolved, it assumed enforcement of regulations and the judicial function. By the late 1960s, its members as well as the student body grew uncomfortable with the Medusa’s dual role of policing and conducting student trials. In the turmoil of student activism of the late 1960s, the Medusa disbanded itself.

These photos are from the Medusa Tapping of May 1963. The Medusa members were Don Taylor ’63, Jack Waggett ’63, Scott Reynolds ’63, John Kent ’63, Bill Howland ’63, Vic Keen ’63, and Mike Schulenberg ’63.

The photos are from the Medusa Tapping of May 1963. The Medusa members were Don Taylor ’63, Jack Waggett ’63, Scott Reynolds ’63, John Kent ’63, Bill Howland ’63, Vic Keen ’63, and Mike Schulenberg ’63. 

The photos are from the Medusa Tapping of May 1963. The Medusa members were Don Taylor ’63, Jack Waggett ’63, Scott Reynolds ’63, John Kent ’63, Bill Howland ’63, Vic Keen ’63, and Mike Schulenberg ’63.