Established in 1988, the Societies of Oklahoma City University gathered three independent Societies on the OCU campus to strengthen their goal of providing scholarships and support for the student body and those who educate them. The Dulaney-Browne Library Society, the Petree College of Arts and Sciences Society, and the Margaret E. Petree College of the Performing Arts Society merged to become what is known as The Societies of Oklahoma City University.
The combining of the three Societies was brought about under the leadership of Ginny Walker, wife of 14th OCU President Jerald Walker. Ginny Walker was the first president of the newly formed Societies until her husband's retirement in 1997. Through the merging of the three societies, Ginny was able to form one cohesive fundraiser that would allow everyone to benefit. The first official fundraiser held in 1989 was the Mardi Gras Ball. This event would bring thousands of dollars into the Societies to be distributed equally among the three disciplines.
