What is Mortar Board?

Scholars…Chosen for Leadership…United to Serve

Mortar Board is a national honor society recognizing college seniors for their exemplary scholarship, leadership and service. 

Since its founding in 1918, Mortar Board has grown and evolved to match the needs of members, providing exclusive service and educational opportunities that only Mortar Board can offer.

Nearly a quarter of a million members have been initiated at 223 chartered chapters nationwide, including notable members such as:

• Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
• Astronaut on the Challenger Judith Resnick
• Best-selling author Aron Ralston
• Professional football player Drew Brees
• Best-selling author Bruce Littlefield

Additionally, numerous community and international leaders have been named honorary members.  To name a few:

• Professional cyclist Lance Armstrong
• Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
• Poet Maya Angelou
• Former President Jimmy Carter
• Former Mayor of New York Rudolph Giulian

National Project: Reading is Leading

Mortar Board members passionately decided to participate in an organization-wide national project to help make a difference:  literacy, by way of the national Reading is Leading initiative. 

Why Reading is Leading?

• Mortar Board members can help cultivate strong ethics by reading stories, newspaper articles and current events issues with students at numerous levels of education
• Members can work with students of any age, including helping non-native English-speakers to learn English as a second language (ESL)
• Major issues like academic integrity can be addressed early on at the elementary and secondary schools
• Gives volunteers the opportunity to build fulfilling relationships with someone they read to
• Reading can deliver a profound effect in the lives of others

Chapter projects and initiatives
Mortar Board strives to promote literacy across the world for people of all ages, and individual chapters carry on that goal in a variety of ways:

• Read-a-thons
• Book drives
• Trick-or-treat for books
• Adopt-a-school
• Reading at a children’s hospital
• Functional literacy workshops
• Lobbying congress
• Reading in nursing homes or retirement communities
  

Reading is Leading is applicable to any race, creed, color, ethnicity, socioeconomic group, regardless of region, gender or age; it is versatile enough to be applied to any chapter’s individual goals or aspirations. Major issues like academic integrity can be included in the Reading is Leading program. Integrity is not just formed on a collegiate level. Mortar Board can help cultivate it in elementary and secondary schools by reading stories, newspaper articles and current events issues with students. In addition to reading about these issues, students also can be encouraged to discuss the ethical pros and cons, as well as consequences.

Reading is Leading can also help to improve “town and gown” relations by bringing campus leaders into the community to work with students and the elderly. Additionally, topics like alcohol can be read and discussed with older students. The project appeals to potential corporate sponsors across the political spectrum. It is non-partisan and politically ‘safe’ for companies and foundations to endorse with grant monies. Moreover, it is an attractive political issue at the moment in light of recent waves of youth violence, making it an excellent candidate for corporate sponsorship.

By targeting reading as a response to youth violence issues and children at risk, Mortar Board tackles a national issue with a practical, pro-active program. This program can only serve to increase Mortar Board’s visibility both locally and nationally. When the opportunity is sought out to read to someone, reading gives the volunteer the chance to share his/her life with that person and to build fulfilling relationships. Reading to someone may be just a simple act of service, but it can deliver a profound effect in the lives of others.

Text from www.mortarboard.org