OXFORD, Miss. – The Tassels chapter of Mortar Board at the
University of Mississippi is among 51 chapters nationwide
honored with a Silver Torch Award for the 2006-07 academic
year. The awards were presented recently at the
organization’s national conference.
“Mortar Board is much more than an honorary organization;
it is a group who realizes that they have been given much
and have decided through Mortar Board to give back to Ole
Miss and the Oxford community,” said Thomas J. “Sparky”
Reardon, UM dean of students and Mortar Board faculty
adviser.
The Silver Torch Award recognizes chapters for their
timeliness and dedication while exemplifying the ideals of
scholarship, leadership and service.
“Our Mortar Board chapter at Ole Miss has always attracted
outstanding students,” Reardon said. “Leaders like Scarlett
Jones and Phillip Sandifer have done a great job, and the
membership has been tireless in conducting projects that
benefit the community.”
Mortar Board is a national honor society founded in 1918
that recognizes college seniors for outstanding achievement
in scholarship, leadership and service. The Tassels chapter
was founded at Ole Miss in 1942.
Mortar Board promotes service to colleges and universities
and encourages lifelong contributions to the global
community. Some notable Mortar Board members include former
President Jimmy Carter, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.