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Mortar Board member's generosity featured during Olympics
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Mortar Board member Shirley Brooks-Jones testing her prowess at the wheel of a ferry, with Lewisporte friends Bill and Thelma Hooper. Bill Hooper is the former mayor of Lewisporte. |
Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, U.S. airspace was quickly closed and thousands of passengers on 239 U.S.-bound flights that day were diverted to, and welcomed by, Canada. Mortar Board member Shirley Brooks-Jones (initiated at The Ohio State University in 1991 while obtaining her bachelor's degree in English following her retirement) was among the 6,600 passengers who landed at the crowded Gander International Airport in Newfoundland.
While passengers sat on the runway for 24 hours, not knowing whether they would make it home or what was going on in the U.S., kindhearted volunteers of all ages in the small nearby town of Lewisporte sprang to action. Community leaders and residents, knowing passengers would need food, shelter and comfort, gathered supplies to prepare for extraordinary circumstances.
Once Shirley and her fellow passengers on Delta Flight 15 were permitted to deplane with only their carry-on luggage, they joined passengers from three other flights and boarded school buses to Lewisporte, a tiny town of just 4,000 residents about 30 minutes from the Gander airport.
"About 100 of us were assigned to the Lewisporte Lion's Club Center -- others went to churches, schools, other service clubs, and a few -- I remember one woman who was eight and a half months pregnant, stayed in people's homes," Brooks-Jones said. "But no matter where we were, we had everything we needed. People brought towels and blankets from their homes, they brought homemade food, we slept on cots or mats from the local school's gym, and boxes and boxes of deodorant, shampoo, razors -- anything we needed, they provided. At night, the ladies of the town would pick up used towels, take them home to wash them, and bring them back fresh the next day. It was incredible."
The unexpected visit lasted three days, during which Shirley fell in love with the people of Lewisporte, an area especially affected by a poor economy. Neither the townspeople nor local businesses expected, nor accepted, anything for their goodwill and generosity. "They just said, 'You would do the same for us.'"
On the flight back to the U.S., Shirley and other passengers started chatting about a way they could repay the community of Lewisporte for their generosity. The discussion began with helping one student with college expenses, and ended with the idea of developing an endowed scholarship fund.
With the blessing (and first pledge) from the pilot, Shirley made an announcement about the scholarship fund over the plane’s intercom system. Hastily-made pledge forms torn from a notebook swiftly made their way across the plane, and more than $15,000 was instantly pledged.
Upon her return to Columbus, Ohio, Shirley set up the endowment with the Columbus Foundation. Today, the Lewisporte Area Flight 15 Scholarship Fund has grown to nearly $1 million and 111 scholarships have been awarded.
Because of her efforts, Shirley was inducted into the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, the highest honor in the province, in 2007. In November 2009, the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador asked her to make a quick visit back to meet with some special guests -- Prince Charles and Lady Camilla Parker Bowles.
And now, the story that Shirley refers to as “the most extraordinary, the most beautiful experience I’ve ever had in my life” has been told to an international audience. NBC aired the story of this experience during its broadcast of the of the 21st Winter Olympic Games on Saturday, February 27. The NBC crew did some filming with Brooks-Jones in Columbus this fall, but in September Brooks-Jones spent 10 days with NBC in Newfoundland, being interviewed by former NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw and helping identify key players in the story.
Click here to view the video.
This article has been adapted from “Hospitality turns tragedy to opportunity for retired OSU staffer” by Martha Filipic, writer with The Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
Mortar Board executive director among college honor society leaders who met in Boston
Jane A. Hamblin, executive director of Mortar Board, attended the annual council meeting of the Association College Honor Societies (ACHS), in Boston February 18-21, 2010. Jane and 60 others leaders from across the country focused on how to promote programming to accomplish their missions, increase revenue, share management responsibilities, and create partnerships for member societies that will lead to more effective operations in lieu of today’s economy.
Bill Suneson, co-founder and president of the Next Generation Insurance Group, and colleagues from Bank of America and Liberty Mutual discussed ways honor societies could create partnerships that would be exclusive to their membership. These professionals imparted valuable information that would help to improve society visibility as well as yield positive financial returns for nonprofit organizations.
Associate Dean Christopher Bosso, of Northeastern University in Boston, shared ideas about the role of honor societies and their social responsibilities. He affirmed that even though academic achievement is a major factor driving the honor society mission, the role of member societies should be toward promoting understanding of and service to the global community.
John Kusenski, director of pre-law programs and associate professor from North Carolina Central University, shared legal considerations regarding Honor Society Governance: Membership Organizations and the ABA Model Nonprofit Corporation Act.
The dean of students at Boston University, Kenneth Elmore, communicated valuable information regarding global issues, community development, and social justice concerns that need to be on the radar of student members of honor societies.
Vice President of National Action Strategies Elaine Leibsohn from America’s Promise Alliance was the keynote speaker at the closing banquet and she disclosed information on honor societies and social action strategies. In her role with America’s Promise, she leads the organizations national service learning campaign, business engagement, experiential learning, and career exploration initiatives.
Nancy Hensel, from the Council for Undergraduate Research, participated in a panel discussion with students in support of undergraduate research. Later, Will Marlow, president and co-founder of Alumni Fidelity, discussed the importance of a positive alumni base for member societies. His company hosts an online fundraising platform for schools and nonprofits.
The Association of College Honor Societies is dedicated to its 67-member council, which builds cohesive communities for national and international honor societies that exhibit excellence in scholarship, service, and governance. The national office is located in East Lansing, Michigan.
City Hall Fellows program accepting applications through March 10
City Hall Fellows, a non-partisan nonprofit organization training the next generation of leaders for America's cities, is offering an exciting and prestigious public service fellowship program. Founded by Mortar Board member Bethany Rubin Henderson (Initiated in 1997 at The University of Pennsylvania), the program empowers America’s best and brightest to drive social change at the local level, in their own hometowns.
City Hall Fellows offers a 12-month, paid, post-college Fellowship that integrates hands-on experience working within the highest levels of local government with intensive training in how cities work. Cohorts of the Fellows Class of 2011 will be placed in the following three cities:
- Houston, Texas
- San Francisco, California
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The fellowship is open to students of all majors. A detailed overview of the fellowship opportunity, as well as application materials and instructions, are available at, www.cityhallfellows.org. Applications are due on or before March 10, 2010. The fellowship year begins August 2, 2010 and runs through July 29, 2011.
Mortar Board launches Google mail for chapters
In effort to provide enhanced e-mail services to Mortar Board chapters, Mortar Board has partnered with Google Apps to launch a free Gmail service for chapter e-mail addresses.
All chapters are required to consistently log in to their Google account and regularly check e-mail.
- Log in at http://chapter.mortarboard.org
- Insert your username and password for your chapter e-mail address
- Use this e-mail address to collect membership applications, send out chapter minutes, contact potential members and more.
Message forwarding
Interested in forwarding your Mortar Board mail to another address? Simply navigate to “Settings” and click on the “Forwarding and POP/IMAP” tab to redirect messages to a different e-mail address.
Outlook and Blackberry compatibility
Take advantage of the other great Google services available to your chapter
- Google sites – Use this free application to quickly create and publish a site for your Mortar Board chapter
- Google docs – Help with chapter transition from year to year by uploading important documents, minutes and reports to pass onto subsequent chapter officers.
- Calendar – Subscribe to Mortar Board’s national calendar to see important deadlines and reminders, and store your chapter’s upcoming meetings, campuswide events and activities in one safe and easy-to-access place.
- Google Talk – Call or send instant messages to your contacts, Mortar Board’s leaders, friends from the Mortar Board National Conference or more by downloading Google Talk or using the Google Talk Gadget.
If you need your chapter's username or password, please contact the National Office at mortarboard@mortarboard.org or 1-800-989-6266.
Nominate alumnae or alumni for a national award by March 15
Mortar Board’s extraordinary alumnae and alumni members are at the heart of the organization as it continues to grow year after year. In order to show appreciation for these devoted leaders, Mortar Board annually awards outstanding members with the awards listed below. If you know a qualified member or think you deserve an award, submit a nomination by March 15, 2010.
Alumni Achievement Award
Alumni who have been out of school for a minimum of five years and are not currently in a national leadership position or an advisor to a collegiate chapter are eligible for this award. Individuals, collegiate chapters, alumni chapters or national leadership members may nominate potential recipients. Nominees should:
- have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their profession or their career, are noted for outstanding community service or both;
- have shown a continuing commitment to the Mortar Board ideals of scholarship, leadership and service;
- be outstanding role models for collegiate members;
- be between five and 40 years from their undergraduate degree.
Distinguished Lifetime Membership Award
Alumni that have devoted themselves to Mortar Board throughout their life and are not currently in a national leadership position or an advisor to a collegiate chapter are eligible to receive this award. Additionally, these candidates:
- have retained connections or contacts with Mortar Board in either collegiate or alumni areas
- have demonstrated outstanding community or campus service on a national or an international level
- epitomize the true meaning of "lifetime of service"
- have had substantial years pass since being awarded their undergraduate degree
Conference assistant applications due March 15
Each year, Mortar Board invites outgoing chapter members to apply to be conference assistants. If you enjoy pulling off large events, have great attention to detail, are willing to jump in where help is needed, and are enthusiastic about Mortar Board, we would love to have you!
Benefits of being a conference assistant:
- Arrive early to meet with the esteemed national leadership of Mortar Board
- Attend the 2010 Mortar Board National Conference in Chicago for free (including travel, accommodations and meals)
- Help execute Mortar Board’s largest event of the year
- Build lasting relationships with other Mortar Board members from across the nation
- Get a jumpstart on being a part of the national leadership - many conference assistants have gone on to become section coordinators, committee chairs and even National Council members
- Assist delegates from each of Mortar Board’s chapters as they prepare for the upcoming academic year
Applications should be submitted to the National Office on or before March 15. Candidates must be available to participate in the conference from July 22 - 25. Additionally, your chapter advisor or administrative liaison must submit a recommendation
form on your behalf.
Have questions about being a conference assistant? Contact Megan Stevens at mstevens@mortarboard.org.
Mortar Board Week Visibility Grant recipients announced
The Mortar Board National Foundation provides chapters with financial assistance to help develop and execute valuable chapter projects. Awards are distributed three times annually to projects which reflect the aims and purposes of Mortar Board.
To celebrate Mortar Board's 92nd anniversary during Mortar Board Week, held February 14 - 20, 2010, the Mortar Board National Foundation offers funding to chapters who hope to enhance their visibility. This year, the National Foundation granted a total of $2,000 to seven chapters for the following initiatives to be held during Mortar Board Week:
- University of Arkansas - Mortar Board Campus Visibility
- University of California, Los Angeles - "Scholars…Chosen for Leadership…United to Serve"
- Cornell College - Just Dance! Marathon
- Otterbein College - Mortar Board Week 2010
- Lyon College - Book Carnival
- University of Southern California - Meal Packaging for the Homeless
- The University of Texas at El Paso - Meet and Greet Barbecue
The next series of Chapter Project Grant applications are due on or before Monday, March 15.
Mortar Board awards $39,500 in fellowships
Mortar Board National Foundation Chair Sally Steadman announced that $39,500 has been awarded to 12 exceptional members furthering their education during the 2009-2010 academic year. Sally commended these members, explaining that, “These members epitomize Mortar Board’s ideals of scholarship, leadership and service. The National Foundation is thrilled to help them achieve their dreams by providing fellowships.”
Each year, the Mortar Board National Foundation awards fellowships to assist members in financing their graduate studies. Since the establishment of the fellowship program in 1941, more than $500,000 has been awarded to help members pursue graduate or professional school. Annually, members are chosen to receive these fellowships based on a history of academic excellence, strong recommendation, scholarly promise, financial need and Mortar Board involvement.
Darla Barie
Fellowship: Barbara Cook Fellowship ($2,000)
Undergraduate: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Initiation year: 2008
Graduate: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Degree sought/field: M.A., sociology
Ashley (Dutridge) Evearitt
Fellowship: Mortar Board Fellowship ($5,000)
Undergraduate: The University of Findlay
Initiation year: 2008
Graduate: Spalding University
Degree sought/field: Psy.D., clinical psychology
Abraham Flores, Jr.
Fellowship: Washington State University classes of 1945-1950 Fellowship ($2,000)
Undergraduate: University of Hawaii at Manoa
Initiation year: 2008
Graduate: University of Hawaii at Manoa
Degree sought/field: M.A., American studies
Steven Hoffenson
Fellowship: Zelma Patchin Fellowship ($2,500)
Undergraduate: University of Maryland
Initiation year: 2005
Graduate: University of Michigan
Degree sought/field: Ph.D., mechanical engineering
Victoria Luhrs
Fellowship: GEICO Fellowship ($5,000)
Undergraduate: Kansas State University
Initiation year: 2003
Graduate: George Mason University
Degree sought/field: M.Ed., initiatives in educational transformation
Sarah Murphy
Fellowship: Ellen North Dunlap Fellowship ($3,500)
Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University
Initiation year: 2007
Graduate: Case Western Reserve University
Degree sought/field: M.D., medicine
Ambrosia Ortiz y Prentice
Fellowship: Mary Elizabeth Ramier Fellowship ($2,000)
Undergraduate: The University of New Mexico
Initiation year: 2006
Graduate: University of Texas at Austin
Degree sought/field: J.D., law
Noah Pittman
Fellowship: Mortar Board Fellowship ($5,000)
Undergraduate: Rhodes College
Initiation year: 2008
Graduate: University of Arkansas
Degree sought/field: M.Ed., higher education leadership
Sonia Savani
Fellowship: Mortar Board Fellowship ($2,500)
Undergraduate: University of South Alabama
Initiation year: 2007
Graduate: University of South Alabama
Degree sought/field: M.D., medicine
Stan Wang
Fellowship: Mortar Board Diane Selby Fellowship ($5,000)
Undergraduate: The University of Akron
Initiation year: 2008
Graduate: Northeastern Ohio University Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM)
Degree sought/field: M.D., medicine
Jared Wilkinson
Fellowship: Ruth Weimer Mount Fellowship ($3,000)
Undergraduate: Purdue University
Initiation year: 2008
Graduate: Washington University
Degree sought/field: M.D., medicine
Jaclyn Wray
Fellowship: Catherine Wills Coleman Fellowship $2,000
Undergraduate: University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Initiation year: 2006
Graduate: University of California, Berkeley
Degree sought/field: O.D., optometry
The deadline to apply for fellowships for the 2010-2011 academic year is January 31. Learn more here.
Virtual Book Drive raised more than $25,000
The second annual Virtual Book Drive, held in conjunction with national nonprofit First Book, successfully raised more than $25,478.85 to contribute to the battle against illiteracy. In full, 56 chapters participated in this fundraising challenge.
Overlapping with Mortar Board's national project, "Reading is Leading," the Virtual Book Drive allows Mortar Board chapters, alumni and friends to join forces to provide children from low-income backgrounds with their very first brand-new book. Last year, 46 chapters raised more than $25,000 for the Virtual Book Drive.
The chapters who raised the most in 2009 are as follows:
- Hope College - raised $8,535.38
- Kansas State University - raised $3,060.04
- Western New England College - raised $2,157.00
Honorable mentions (listed in alphabetical order):
- Case Western Reserve University
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- University of Montana
- University of Northern Colorado
- Seattle Pacific University
Hope College not only received the top award for the overall chapter challenge and supported Pine Creek Elementary School, but received each monthly top donor award during the drive for August, September, October and November, resulting in an additional $400 in Borders gift cards to support a second recipient, CASA (Children’s After School Achievement).
Illiteracy is linked to nearly every major socioeconomic crisis today. Children who cannot read are statistically more likely as adults to suffer poor health, struggle in the job market, rely on government assistance, and find themselves in the criminal justice system. Since 2002, Mortar Board has made a national commitment to combat illiteracy with the "Reading is Leading" initiative.
Mortar Board Advisor David Needs named AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year
David Needs, current advisor for the Panathenees chapter at Carson-Newman College and a 1990 Mortar Board initiate, has been named Division II Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
Needs, the quarterbacks coach, is in his 14th season at Carson-Newman, and 17th season overall. He also played quarterback at Carson-Newman, and was a part of the 1988 and ’89 national championships. He has been a part of 10 South Atlantic Conference titles and three national championship games while on the football coaching staff. In addition to his football responsibilities, Needs serves as head men’s and women’s track coach.
Needs is heavily involved off the field in the Carson-Newman and Jefferson City communities, working a free, week-long camp at Manley Baptist Church for school-age children, teaching them how to run and play football. He is also an advisor for Mortar Board, and has helped with many chapter service projects such as delivering teddy bears for sick children, visiting senior homes and shut-ins and reading to children at various elementary schools. Each fall, he leads and sponsors the “Cereal Bowl,” a charity flag football game between redshirt football players and faculty which has raised thousands of dollars and thousands of boxes of cereal for needy families.
“David is Carson-Newman through and through,” Carson-Newman athletics director David Barger said. “He is a tremendous football and track and field coach, and works tirelessly at both. He is also thoroughly committed to our campus and local communities. He is the type of person that makes Carson-Newman what it is.”
Fall Chapter Project Grant recipients announced
The Mortar Board National Foundation provides chapters with financial assistance to help develop and execute valuable chapter projects. Awards are distributed three times annually to projects which reflect the aims and purposes of Mortar Board.
This fall, the National Foundation granted a total of $3,000 to 12 chapters for the following projects:
- Berea College - fundraising to provide books for Silver Creek Elementary School Library
- University of Connecticut - Reading Buddies
- Cornell University - Last Lecture Series
- Eastern Kentucky University - Mortar Board Spelling Bee
- Northern Michigan University - Reading Area and Reading Night for the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum
- The Ohio State University - World's Largest Pillow Fight for PanCan
- Rhodes College - Foundation of a Library for the Women's Penitentiary
- University of South Florida - Charity Masquerade Ball
- The University of Texas at El Paso - Christmas Time
- University of Vermont - Ronald McDonald House
- Wichita State University - Wichita's “Reading is Leading” Drawing Contest
- William Jewell College - Franklin Elementary School Reading Rewards Closet
The next grant available is the Mortar Board Week Visibility Grant, with applications due by Tuesday, December 15.
Mortar Board to install 228th chapter at Illinois Wesleyan University
After a thorough application process, Mortar Board National President Daniel J. Turner has announced that Illinois Wesleyan University has been selected to host the 228th chartered chapter of Mortar Board.
In order to have the privilege of obtaining a Mortar Board charter, an institution must be accredited, grant baccalaureate degrees, have support of the university administration, host official visits by a national representative of Mortar Board, and be voted upon by the organization’s board of directors, the National Council. Additionally, the group should serve as an active honor society that continues to make significant contributions to college and community life. Illinois Wesleyan University's charter has been unanimously approved by the Mortar Board National Council.
The chapter has selected the name "EGAS" to commemorate EGAS, the university’s inactive local senior women’s honor society, which is being incorporated into Mortar Board. All of the local society's former members will be invited to become full members of Mortar Board at this time.
Mortar Board National President Daniel J. Turner, who will preside over the installation ceremony, is thrilled to welcome the society’s newest chapter. “With its rich history, unique curricula, and outstanding student body, I feel that Illinois Wesleyan University is a perfect fit for Mortar Board,” Turner explained. “The EGAS chapter and its incoming active members are committed to developing creative chapter programming reflective of Mortar Board’s ideals. I am certain that the EGAS chapter will be incredibly successful as the university’s sole coeducational senior honor society developed to recognize outstanding seniors based on their commitment to the ideals of scholarship, leadership and service, making Mortar Board a highly sought-after recognition for students.”
The chapter’s advisor, Sue Stroyan, and chapter president, Morgan Tarbutton, will accept the charter on behalf of the group. National President Daniel J. Turner and one of Mortar Board’s section coordinators, Whitney Tarbutton, will attend the ceremony to welcome the group into Mortar Board.
The group will officially become a chartered chapter at a special installation ceremony held on Sunday, November 8 at 1 p.m. in the Davidson Room of the Memorial Center located at 104 E. University Street in Bloomington. At this time, 22 collegiate members and will be inducted into the Society.
Download the full press release here.
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