The Fairmount chapter at Wichita State University was among the outstanding chapters to be honored for its excellence, at the 2010 Mortar Board National Conference, held July 23-25 in Chicago.
The group was one of 77 chapters to receive the Silver Torch Award, presented to chapters meeting chapter management standards while exemplifying the ideals of scholarship, leadership and service.
Additionally, the chapter was among 19 groups that received a Project Excellence Award, granted for notable achievement in scholarship, leadership, fundraising, service, the “Reading is Leading” national project, alumni involvement or Mortar Board Week.
The chapter was recognized for the “Reading is Leading” contest it held at Adams Elementary School. Nearly 400 elementary students participated in the contest, which required each student to read a book and draw a picture illustrating some aspect of the book. The winners from each class received a $30 Barnes & Noble gift card, and the school’s library was awarded a $300 donation to purchase new books.
Chapter President Jennifer Cao and Membership Chair Stephanie Lillie were present to accept the chapter’s awards.
Mortar Board is the premier national honor society recognizing college seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. Since its founding in 1918, the organization has grown from the four founding chapters to 228 chartered collegiate chapters with nearly a quarter of a million initiated members across the nation. The Fairmount chapter at Wichita State University was chartered in 1954 and has 38 members.
Mortar Board provides opportunities for continued leadership development, promotes service to colleges and universities and encourages lifelong contributions to the global community. Some notable Mortar Board members include distinguished politician Condoleezza Rice, Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees and Suzy’s Zoo creator Suzy Spafford.
Learn more about Mortar Board at www.mortarboard.org. To learn more about the chapter, visit http://webs.wichita.edu/mortarboard.