Founding date
Founding chapters Mission Motto Symbol Colors Official Publication Pin Membership Unique Facts Notable Initiates Notable Honorary Members |
February 15, 1918
Cornell University, The University of Michigan, The Ohio State University and Swarthmore College Mortar Board, Inc., a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for their achievements in scholarship, leadership and service, provides opportunities for continued leadership development, promotes service to colleges and universities and encourages lifelong contributions to the global community. (Adopted July 1994) Pi Sigma Alpha (ΠΣΑ), letters that correspond to three Greek words representing the ideals of Mortar Board: scholarship, leadership and service. A mortarboard, an ancient symbol of honor and distinction, represents the organization. Many early scholars also adopted the clerical or monastic robes as a symbol, illustrating their devotion to the profession of learning. Gold (representing achievement) and silver (symbolizing opportunity) The Mortar Board Forum is a semi-annual magazine that features stories about alumni, articles about chapter activities and accomplishments, current issues and trends, messages from Mortar Board national leaders and more. It is distributed to approximately 35,000 collegiate and alumni members across the nation. Alumni can continue to receive the Mortar Board Forum by contacting the National Office to sign up for a subscription. Shaped like a black mortarboard with the Greek letters representing the motto engraved in gold Nearly a quarter of a million members have been initiated across the nation. There are 228 chartered collegiate chapters in 47 states. Mortar Board members commemorate the founding of Mortar Board with a weeklong celebration, annually held the week of the February 15 founding.
Former 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 Writer and motivational speaker David Coleman Professional cyclist Lance Armstrong Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Poet Maya Angelou Former President Jimmy Carter Former Mayor of New York City Rudolph Giuliani First woman in space Sally Ride American educator, minister, songwriter and television host Fred Rogers |