In Greek mythology, Gryphons are winged beasts—half eagle, half lion—and keepers of the gold.

At Lehigh, Gryphons also protect the "gold" —students. Lehigh Gryphons are mentors, advocates, programmers and role models for the more than 2,400 students living in residence halls on campus, and they are the enforcers of university policies as well.

The Gryphon society, which has 102 student members, has more than doubled in size since it was founded in 1957 by a group of residence hall counselors, who promoted the idea of a "living group" as a way to bond both socially and professionally. These first Gryphons advised freshmen academically and personally and maintained discipline in the residence halls. Today's Gryphons have expanded roles and a broader reach as they strive to improve students' residential experiences.