Converse Chapter of Mortar Board Receives Three National Awards

Converse’s Gavel chapter of Mortar Board received three outstanding honors this summer for its accomplishments under the leadership of Christina Baker ’00, of Kershaw, SC, Mortar Board members and advisors.

Converse was one of only 25 chapters nationwide to receive the Golden Torch Award from the National Mortar Board. The award is based on excellence in scholarship, leadership and service. The chapter also received the Project Excellence Award for last year’s PROBE symposium, entitled “Education: Don’t Leave School Without It.” Jessica Condit ’00, of Sebastian, FL chaired the project with important support from hospitality chair Audrey Chavous ’00, of Pickens, SC. The Gavel Chapter was one of 30 chapters to receive this award.

Mortar Board advisor Dr. Melissa Walker was recognized with the National Excellence in Advising Award for her dedication and leadership during the 1999-2000 academic year. Walker was honored at the National Conference Candlelight Banquet with an award certificate and plaque. This was her third year serving as an advisor.

Mortar Board is a national honor society for college seniors whose purpose, in part, is to support the ideals of the College, to advance a spirit of scholarship, to recognize and encourage leadership, and to provide the opportunity for a meaningful exchange of ideas as individuals and as a group. Qualifications for membership in Mortar Board include outstanding leadership, scholarship, and service. All juniors with a cumulative scholastic average of 3.0 or above are considered for membership. Selection and tapping of new members occurs in the spring of each year.

For the 2000-2001 academic year, Converse Gavel Chapter will be preparing for PROBE 2002 under the leadership of Jessica Hundley ’01, of Summerville, SC.