Chapters spread holiday cheer in the name of
Mortar Board
During the season of giving, many chapters go the extra mile to spread holiday cheer.  Monmouth College held a “dorm storm” to collect clothes for the homeless before the holiday season.  Hope College stuffs stockings for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).  The University of Delaware chapter adopted a family.  Tennessee Technological University works with an area correctional facility, allowing inmates to read and record holiday stories on CDs for their children. 

Don’t have time to participate in your chapter’s holiday projects, or is your chapter not hosting one this year?  Here are three good ways to spread your own holiday cheer:

• Drop your spare change in one of the Salvation Army’s numerous kettles, give to an online red kettle or even host your own
• Help make the holiday special by donating gifts to an organization such as Toys for Tots
• Provide a meal to a family in need by donating canned goods or other food items to a local food bank or shelter

Fellowships available for postgraduate education
Each year, the Mortar Board National Foundation awards fellowships to members to assist in financing their postgraduate education.  More than $60,000 will be available in Mortar Board fellowships for the 2008-2009 academic year, with applications due on or before January 31, 2008. 

Recipients are chosen for academic excellence, recommendation, promise, financial need and Mortar Board involvement.  Since the establishment of the Mortar Board fellowship program in 1941, more than $500,000 has been awarded to members pursuing further study in graduate or professional school. 

Any Mortar Board initiate who is furthering their education with post-baccalaureate study, regardless of age, is eligible to apply for fellowships.  Simply complete the online application and have two references (one from Mortar Board) submit a quick online recommendation. 

Learn more or apply now.

Need a scholarship?  Search now.
Mortar Board’s specialized scholarship search engine, hosted by Scholarship Monkey, gives members access to more than a million scholarships with more than $3 billion in awards. 

Browse the search engine now.

Discounts available through GEICO Privileges
GEICO Privlieges gives members great deals and tips for everyday spending.  Here are a few examples of the deals available, only when you shop using GEICO Privileges:

• Members get $5 off $50 or more spent online at Target.com
• Up to 50 percent off movie tickets from a variety of theatres
• Save 10 percent when you reserve a room with Choice Hotels
• Up to $100 rebate online at Hotels.com
• For a limited-time only, save 10 percent at Barnes&Noble.com

Have a great Mortar Board memory?  Share it.
A revision of the Member Guide is under way, and Mortar Board wants your help.  This booklet features testimonials and photos of numerous Mortar Board members, helping to describe the organization to the new class. 

You can immortalize your Mortar Board memories by submitting your anecdote, memory or simply what Mortar Board means to you this year.  Share now!

Get your holiday gifts
Don’t forget to top off your holiday shopping with a trip to Mortar Board’s online merchandise store.  Grab Mortar Board trinkets for fellow members, advisors, alumni and friends. 

Defining
Mortar Board

"Mrs. Jones had six grandchildren. She had picked out a story, made a card, and gotten a Bible story for each one. To her youngest grandchild she even sang a song. This would just be a typical holiday scene except that Mrs. Jones is a resident of the Central Mississippi Correctional facility. She had been there for over ten years and had not seen some of her grandchildren in even longer. But Mrs. Jones had not lost faith.
Through a program I participated in with Mortar Board at Mississippi College I had the chance to meet and help Mrs. Jones record a holiday message for her distant grandchildren. When I heard this serene felon tell her granddaughter that she loved her even though she didn't know her birthday I knew that the gift being sent was not to the grandchildren, and certainly not to Mrs. Jones, it was to me. It was the most rewarding volunteer experience I have ever done and Mortar Board was a part."

-Todd Jefferson Hartley
Mississippi College
Class of 2007

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