Mortar Board

"This book is different from many organization histories in that it is well founded in the history of our country. The authors tie the history of Mortar Board to the events that were shaping the United States and the world. This is a story of women in academia, World War II, women's rights, civil rights, professional development, Title IX, and how these events helped guide the formation of a national collegiate honorary dedicated to promoting equal opportunities among all people and emphasizing the advancement of the status of women." —Mary Sadowski, Professor, Purdue University

"In celebration of its centennial anniversary in 2018, the authors have researched and written a history not only of Mortar Board, but also a history of the evolution and complexities of four centuries of American higher education as the context for Mortar Board's development through the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Additionally, the authors have referenced many of the corresponding national and world events that were occurring over the decades and that often shaped or influenced the activities and growth of Mortar Board. Originally established as an honor society to recognize college senior women for their scholarship, leadership, and commitment to service, Mortar Board continues into its next century now recognizing both college senior women and men who continue to reflect these ideals. The authors have captured the challenges that Mortar Board has withstood across the decades, with the earliest challenge being that of a women's organization in a man's world of higher education." —Mabel G. Freeman, Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society (past National President) and The Ohio State University (retired)

"An outstanding read for Mortar Boards of all ages. In addition to a narrative on the first one hundred years of Mortar Board—covering the overall organization, the collegiate chapters, the alumni chapters, and the Foundation—readers will find wonderful information on the history of higher education in the United States." —David Lynn Whitman, National President: Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society and Professor Emeritus, University of Wyoming

"In 1918, five college women who wanted a national honor society recognizing women's achievements in scholarship, leadership, and service created Mortar Board. At that time, World War I and a flu epidemic were wracking the nation, men dominated society, and women could not vote. One hundred years later, the founders' vision remains alive in Mortar Board, the premier national college senior honor society. Mortar Board members come together as 'family,' sharing their commitments to leadership, service, and lifelong learning. While Title IX brought controversy and male membership in 1975, advancement for women remains a core purpose." —Martha Lewis Starling, The Pennsylvania State University (retired), Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society (past National President), and President, Mortar Board National Foundation

"This remarkable history not only chronicles the founding, expansion, and operation of Mortar Board, but it also provides an insightful look at how various societal and educational changes had an impact on higher education and the development of honor societies. From the time women were first enrolled in colleges and universities to the passage and implementation of Title IX to the challenges of today, this book does an excellent job of explaining how Mortar Board adapted and continued to grow as a thriving organization that celebrates and supports collegiate scholarship, leadership, and service." —Tara S. Singer, Executive Director, Omicron Delta Kappa

"There is nothing like a good story, and Mortar Board offers storytelling at its best, taking the reader from the organization's beginning through its evolution to the present time. Mortar Board's unwavering commitment to scholarship, leadership, and service has never changed during its one hundred years. Remarkable women, later joined by men, have steadily guided this honor society, always seeking ways to ensure its survival through inevitable challenges. Values, membership, and funding are constant issues, and they are addressed in this very interesting book. Mortar Board is now one hundred years old. With continued careful stewardship, it will be good for another one hundred!" —Jane K. Smith, Assistant Vice President, Academic Services Emerita, San Diego State University, Trustee, Mortar Board Foundation, and Jane K. Smith Cap and Gown Chapter Adviser

"Mortar Board: A Century of Scholars, Chosen for Leadership, United to Serve is far more than a skillfully written history of Mortar Board. Embedded in the richly detailed stories of Mortar Board's founding and expansion are the histories—and herstories—of U.S. higher education, women's rights, civil rights, and first-person accounts of the impact of Title IX. Through the authors' use of period-sensitive language over the century, the reader gains insight as 'girls' become 'women,' 'Miss' transitions to 'Ms.,' and 'alumnae' expands to include 'alumni.' The painstaking research and original sources result in a scholarly product suitable for classrooms and coffee tables alike." — Marlesa A. Roney, Professor of Practice, Higher Education Administration, University of Kansas

"Virginia Gordon and Jane Hamblin provide a captivating history of Mortar Board and identify innovative programs established by chapters that are now woven in the fabric of higher education—career programs for women, freshman orientation programs, and leadership programs. Mortar Board members modeled collaboration and, during World War II, contributed to the war effort, including serving as airplane spotters. Mortar Board's strong historical foundation challenges chapters and members to make a difference on their campuses and in their communities—to act on compelling issues that, as a group, they are uniquely well suited to address. One will learn much about students and the commitment of alumni in this rich story of a highly acclaimed honor society." —Marylu K. McEwen, Associate Professor Emerita, University of Maryland, College Park