The University of Mary Washington’s Cap & Gown Mortar Board Chapter received the 2015-16 Most Improved Chapter Award, presented at the Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society’s conference.
Recognizing senior students who excel in scholarship, leadership and service, UMW’s chapter has been a premier honor society since 1943 and a chartered member of Mortar Board since 1959. The Most Improved Chapter award is presented annually to the chapter that has been most successful in re-establishing and re-invigorating their membership and programming. UMW was chosen for its success in the areas of new member selection, membership orientation and transition, chapter operations, service to the alma mater and chapter visibility.
“I am exceptionally proud of last year’s chapter, particularly president Angela Dixon,” said Abbie Tomba, associate professor of biological sciences who also earned Mortar Board’s Excellence in Advising honor. “Their hard work and dedication really revitalized Mortar Board on our Campus.”
One of the chapter’s most impressive accomplishments was the establishment of the Support our Students (SOS) Fund, a UMW Foundation discretionary account created in concert with UMW Student Life. The fund provides emergency financial assistance to UMW students in need, including those who can’t afford educational materials or graduation regalia. The chapter partnered with the Young Alumni Council’s GIVE campaign to raise just over $830last spring.
Additionally, UMW was one of 36 chapters to take home the Gold Torch Award, presented each year to the most outstanding chapters of Mortar Board. Recipients must excel beyond minimum standards, accomplishing significant results in chapter management and contributing meaningful service to their institutions.
Since Mortar Board’s founding in 1918, more than a quarter of a million members have been initiated at 231 chartered chapters across the country. Mortar Board provides opportunities for continued leadership development, promotes service to institutions of higher learning and encourages lifelong contributions to the global community.
This year, UMW’s chapter will begin the academic year with 15 members under the leadership of incoming president and senior Grace Henry of McClean, Va.
To learn more about the chapter, contact Tomba at atomba@umw.edu. Find out more about Mortar Board at www.mortarboard.org.
