ABOUT MENSA

The Meaning of Mensa
Mensa is an international society whose only qualification for membership is a score in the top 2% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test. For a short history and explanation of IQ, click here. The word mensa has a triple meaning in Latin of mind, table, month, which suggests a monthly meeting of great minds around a table.

The Founding of Mensa
Mensa was founded in Great Britain in 1946 by two English barristers, Roland Berrill and Dr. Lionel Ware.

Internationally, 100,000 members represent more than 100 countries. Mensa International headquarters is in London.

The Founding of American Mensa
American Mensa was founded in 1960. The first meeting took place on September 30, 1960, at the Brooklyn home of Peter and Ines Sturgeon with five other members attending.

By 1963, the organization had grown to 1,000 members. As of March 2002, there were 49,837 members of American Mensa. Its headquarters is located in Arlington, Texas.

The Founding of Permian Basin Mensa
Permian Basin Mensa was organized in about 1962 by Richard Reed, Jim Jordan, Pat Beck, Hugh White, Len Caryl, Nellie Fields and Ed Rosskelly.  Jim Jordan was the first LocSec of Permian Basin Mensa; Hugh White was the second in 1968.  Hugh served until 1985, at which time he nominated the present Local Secretary Mike Craddock.  Of Permian Basin's organizers Len, and Nellie are still active members of the local group.

Richard Reed was the first editor of Permian Basin's newsletter, PerMensa, followed by Hugh White, Jim Stevens, Sweet Dave Ross, Nancy Calhoon, Mike Craddock, Tom Whiles, Sharon Colbert, and Shirley Volkmann.

Permian Basin Mensa boasts about 100 members.  Our center is Midland-Odessa, and frequent activities are held in San Angelo and Abilene.

Copyright © 2007 Permian Basin Mensa. The Mensa logo is a registered trademark of Mensa International Limited and American Mensa Limited, all rights reserved. Mensa does not hold any opinion or have, or express, any political or religious views.