The Fairmount chapter of Mortar Board at Wichita State University was honored for excellence by the 2015 Mortar Board National Council.

The group was one of 45 outstanding chapters to receive the Silver Torch Award. The award is given to chapters that meet all national criteria and deadlines while promoting scholarship, leadership and meaningful service to their institutions.

The Fairmount chapter at Wichita State University was chartered in 1954 and has 29 members. Chapter co-presidents Hannah Robinson and Carol Gibbon accepted the award at the national conference in Phoenix.

Mortar Board is a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. Since its founding in 1918, the organization has grown from four founding chapters to 231 chartered collegiate chapters, with more than 250,000 initiated members across the nation.

Mortar Board provides opportunities for continued leadership development, promotes service to colleges and universities and encourages lifelong contributions to the global community. Some notable members include professional football player and philanthropist Drew Brees, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and award-winning actor Marion Ross.

To learn more about Mortar Board, go to www.mortarboard.org.