USD Mortar Board Honor Society honored nationally for excellence
The Silver Torch Award is an honor bestowed on chapters that meet all national standards and deadlines. Twenty-four collegiate chapters earned the Gold Torch Award, an honor presented annually to the most exceptional chapters of Mortar Board. In addition to USD, other notable chapters receiving 2014 Silver Torch Awards at the Society’s National Conference in Atlanta were Auburn University, Baylor University, Coe College, Drake University, Florida State University, Kansas State University, Occidental College, the University of Kansas and University of North Dakota.
“It is an incredible honor to receive the Silver Torch Award as it shows our chapter’s dedication to meeting national standards and deadlines this past year,” said Rayna Pearson of Sioux Falls, S.D., president of USD’s Mortar Board chapter. “Our chapter is currently working on fundraisers to supply local elementary schools with more books. Academically, our members are college seniors who are in the top 5 percent of their class, have leadership positions on campus, and are highly involved in giving back to our campus and the community.”
Mortar Board is the premier national honor society recognizing college seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. Since its founding in 1918, more than a quarter of a million members have been selected for membership at 231 chartered chapters across the United States. Mortar Board provides members with opportunities for continued leadership development, promotes service to colleges and universities and encourages lifelong contributions to the global community.