Mortar Board chapter recognized nationally

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South Dakota State University’s Mortar Board chapter, Sigma Lambda Sigma, was recognized for its achievements this summer at the 2010 Mortar Board National Conference held in Chicago the end of July.

Sigma Lambda Sigma was one of 77 chartered collegiate chapter winners receiving the Silver Torch Award. Across the nation 238 chapters competed for the award. Winners demonstrated scholarship, leadership and service with timeliness and dedication.

Natalie Woolridge, senior nursing major from Huron, accepted the Silver Torch Award in Chicago as the SDSU chapter president.

“Membership in Mortar Board provides students with opportunities to further develop their leadership skills as the group identifies service projects they wish to complete,” said Joel Hefling, SDSU Mortar Board advisor and assistant professor in communication studies and theater.

“Members are able to work together to complete service projects that have a significant impact in the local community, as well as projects that are worldwide in scope.”

Some of the international, national and local scholarship projects the SDSU chapter volunteered with included Reading is Leading, Cycle to Stop the Cycle, food drives for the Brookings Food Pantry, Relay for Life and fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Mortar Board National Honor Society started with only four chapters in 1918. The SDSU chapter received its charter in 1972 and currently has 25 members.

The honor society is open to students who will be in their senior year at SDSU who have cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher and participate in leadership and service organizations.