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About the committee
A special committee to compile the rich traditions, unique history and amazing stories of Mortar Board was developed in January 2005. This Historical Publication Committee wants the help of both collegiate and alumni chapters to ensure that each and every chapter's history is accurately preserved in the upcoming book.
Interesting Historical Tidbits
The original pin for Der Hexenkries chapter at Cornell University was designed by Tiffany of New York. This chapter became one of the founding chapters of national Mortar Board.
In 1944, the Mortar Board chapter at the University of Colorado rose to the occasion of providing Christmas activities for those who would be staying on campus during the holidays. Christmas vacation had been cancelled due to the accelerated schedule during World War II.
“Drinking on campus must be allowed to quench the thirst of those students who are getting a ‘dry education’” … This was a slogan from an early project of the University of Michigan Mortar Board members, who petitioned their Board of Regents for … drinking fountains on campus!
In 1973, the Mortar Board chapter at Bowling Green State University asked the university’s Board of Trustees to form a search committee to seek a gynecologist for the campus, a need of women at the university.
In the 1950s, alumni chapters of Mortar Board often hosted “Smarty Parties” for their local collegiate chapters, providing food for the student members during long studies before final exams.
In her 1958 annual report, the president of the Bucknell University Mortar Board chapter wrote: “We have learned how to juggle teacups and chat, but have we really learned to understand people?”
