catawba college of salisbury, north carolina, also charters a philomathean society. the group was created in 1851, after the founding of the college, and served as a society for debate and fellowship for young men. soon after its inception, the philomathean society began a library in their home because the college did not yet have one. in the early 1900s the society became inactive, but was resurrected in 1991 to serve in a different capacity. the all-male society now serves as a group dedicated to "scholarship, culture, character, and service", the motto of the college. membership is by invitation only.