Mortar Board awards
Outstanding alumni members, collegiate chapters, advisors and
alumni chapters are recognized for their excellence at the annual
national conference.
Ruth Weimer Mount Chapter Excellence Award
Deadline: May 15
Exceptional chapters of Mortar Board will be considered to receive
this award, the highest possible honor given in collegiate achievement. Recipients
are chosen based on chapter operations, participation, selections,
advising, visibility, communications and other qualifications. In
order to be considered for this award, the chapter must be nominated
for or complete an application for the Golden
Torch Award.
Previous recipients of the Ruth Weimer Mount Chapter Excellence Award include:
- Purdue University - 2002
- San Diego State University - 2003
- Kansas State University - 2004
- Oklahoma State University - 2005
- University of San Diego - 2006
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln - 2007
- University of Wyoming - 2008
- University of Washington - 2009
Most
Improved Chapter Award (Awarded to one collegiate chapter
annually)
Deadline: May 15
The Most Improved Chapter Award will be given to the chapter
that can document the greatest growth and/or improvement in the
following areas:
- New member selection
- Membership
orientation and transition
- Chapter operations
- Service
to the community
- Chapter visibility
To be considered for this award, a chapter may self-nominate
or be nominated by their section coordinator (or a National Office
or National Council member in his/her absence) by May 15.
See
the 2009 recipients
*Golden
Torch Award (Awarded to collegiate chapters)
Deadline: May 15
Chapters who have completed eligibility requirements for the
Silver Torch Award and excelled in the areas of scholarship,
leadership and service are eligible to apply.
Section coordinators may nominate chapters or chapters may complete
an application form, due to the National Office by May 15. A
selection committee will determine recipients of a Golden Torch
Award based on applications/nominations and review of the National
records.
See
the 2009 recipients
*Silver Torch Award (Awarded to collegiate chapters)
No formal application is required for this award.
Chapters must meet all the minimum standards, as outlined in
the Bylaws, and meet all necessary deadlines. The selection
process will include a review of National records to determine
eligibility.
See
the 2009 recipients
**Project
Excellence Awards (Awarded to collegiate chapters)
Deadline: May 15
Chapters who have completed an outstanding event or project one
or more of the following areas and fills out a formal application
will be considered for this award:
- Scholarship program/project
- Leadership development program
- Fundraising
- Alumni involvement
- Service project
- Implementation of the national project “Reading
is Leading”
- Mortar Board Week project
A chapter will be considered for this award only if the chapter
submits an application or if the Section coordinator submits
a nomination form to the National Office by May 15. Section
coordinators are encouraged to nominate more than one chapter. A
selection committee will review all applications and nomination
forms. A Project Excellence Award will be given to all nominated
chapters meeting the criteria.
See
the 2009 recipients
Excellence in Advising Awards
Deadline: March 15
Chapters may nominate outstanding advisors to be recognized annually for their
contributions and ongoing dedication to Mortar Board. An advisor cannot
receive the award more than once within a five-year period. Up to three
advisors may be selected for this honor each year.
Collegiate chapters and section coordinators are invited to
nominate advisors who have:
- provided support to help their chapters achieve goals
- been role models in demonstrating leadership, professionalism
and the spirit of service
- helped their chapter overcome obstacles and meet challenges
- given outstanding service to their chapters
- gone “above and beyond” in contributing time
and expertise to assist their chapters and members
Nomination forms must be submitted by a collegiate chapter representative
or section coordinator by March 15. A chapter officer may
sign the nomination form on behalf of the entire chapter. Recipients
are selected by the advisor committee and will be announced at
the annual conference. Financial support will be provided
to assist recipients so that they may attend the annual conference
to receive awards.
See
the 2009 recipients
See all previous Excellence in Advising Award recipients
Outstanding Alumni Chapter Award (May be awarded to one alumni
chapter annually)
Based on facts submitted in the alumni chapter annual report,
the Mortar Board alumni committee selects one outstanding alumni
chapter that has completed an outstanding project or program
as the recipient of this award annually. Representatives
from that chapter are invited to come to the national conference
to accept their award.
Alumni
Achievement Award (awarded to up to three alumni
members annually)
Deadline: March 15
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 and 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;
- are outstanding role models for collegiate members;
- are between five and 40 years from their undergraduate degree
See the 2009 recipients
Distinguished
Lifetime Membership Award (awarded to
up to three alumni members annually)
Deadline: March 15
Eligible alumni are not currently in a national leadership position
or an advisor to a collegiate chapter. Additionally, they
should:
- 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
National Citation Award (may be awarded to one person annually)
The highest individual award given my Mortar Board, the National
Citation identifies and recognizes a national figure who personifies
the goals and purposes of Mortar Board, who has been noted
for his or her distinguished contributions to the nation within
the ideals of scholarship, leadership and service, and who
promotes equal opportunities for all people while emphasizing
the advancement of the status of women. The National
Citation can be awarded annually and grants automatic honorary
membership. Those honored in the past include:
- First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush, Literacy Advocate
- President Jimmy Carter and Rosalyn Carter, Habitat for Humanity
- Elizabeth Dole, President American Red Cross/U.S Senator
- Martha Griffiths, Congresswoman
- Shirley Mount Hufstedler, Judge
- Barbara Jordan, Congresswoman
- Dr. Richard Keeling, AIDS Research
- Rudolph Giuliani, New York City Mayor
- Maya Angelou, Poet
- Josefina Magno, Founder of the Hospice
Movement
- Antonia Coello Novello, former Surgeon General
- Dr. Ellen Ochoa,
Astronaut
- Sandra Day O’Connor, former Supreme Court Justice
- Martha
Peterson, University President
- Sally Ride, Astronaut
- Fred Rogers, Host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
- Lance
Armstrong, Professional Cyclist
*Eligible chapters will receive either a Silver Torch or
a Golden Torch Award as chapters cannot receive both awards
simultaneously.
**Each eligible chapter may receive more than one Project
Excellence Award. In addition to a Project Excellence
Award(s), a chapter may also simultaneously receive either
a Silver or Golden Torch Award and the Most Improved Chapter
Award.
See all 2009 recipients
