The Philonomosian Society was a student debating society first organized on January 8, 1839, with the motto "Lex, Libertas Salusque Gentis" (Law, Liberty, and the Well-Being of the Nation.) The group initially differentiated itself from Georgetown's oldest debating society, the Philodemic Society, by accepting students from the younger classes.
History
The Philonomosion Society members were mainly underclassmen who debated issues pertaining to history, philosophy, theology, and current events. The Philonomosian Society and Philodemic Society enjoyed a friendly rivalry. The two groups regularly held joint celebrations together. The upperclassmen in the Philodemic society frequently gave encouragement to the younger Philonomosian members. 1In 1903, The Philodemic Society and the Philonomosian Society co-hosted a debate competition in Gaston Hall with the subject "Resolved: The United States should choose the Nicaragua canal route rather than the Panama."2
By 1850, the society had 25 members and excellent standing in the College. In 1878, they held their first contest for a medal in the presence of judges, Rev. Fathers Guida, Doonan and Whiteford, on the topic "Was Aaron Burr guilty of treason?" The society continued to flourish until the Civil War, when all student organization activities were put to a halt. In 1865, the Philonomosian society restarted along with the other student organizations on campus.
In the academic year 1921-1922, the Philonomosian Society inaugurated its Lecture Bureau, where the club would send out teams to address specific university topics and give lectures.
In 1921, the Society decided to change its name to the College Debating Society. In 1929, after a lapse of two years, William Casson was elected to become president of the Society and resurrected the Society, this time restricting membership to juniors and seniors. The last mention of the organization was in 1932 in Georgetown's yearbook, Ye Doomesday Booke.
Adapted for Modern Times
Since then, a group of Georgetown students have begun the process of reviving the Philonomosian Society in the academic year 2023-2024, with 5 different 'cohorts' — the Progressives, the Liberals, the Independents, the Federalists, and the Tories. The group is housed under the Georgetown McDonough School of Business (MSB) and debates in the Lorfink auditorium.3
