Despite Pandemic's Challenges, USD’s Mortar Board Chapter Receives Highest Honor in Nation

The University of San Diego’s Judy Lewis Logue Alcalá Chapter of Mortar Board was recently recognized by The National Office of Mortar Board with the Ruth Weimer Mount Chapter Excellence Award, the highest honor awarded each year to one chapter for performing with excellence in chapter operations, advising, visibility, communications, and participation.

During the Collegiate Awards Celebration on June 13, USD’s Mortar Board chapter also received the Gold Torch Award for superior exemplification of the ideals of the society through exceptional chapter operations and service. In addition, the chapter received five separate Project Excellence Awards for the following projects:

• Faculty Appreciation Dinner,
• Fall and Spring Alumni Engagement Initiative,
• Linda Vista Engagement Initiative,
• Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Initiative, and
• Senior Celebrations.

“Our USD Mortar Board students are amazing,” said Perla Myers, Ph.D., mathematics professor, and Mortar Board advisor. “They bonded, led, organized, and shone, even under challenging circumstances. Because of COVID-19, our members were scattered all across the United States and other countries, and yet, they worked collaboratively to organize more major events than our chapter ever had.”  

Tiffany Truong, Mortar Board president, and Maggie Scholle, executive vice president, learned valuable lessons as they organized to help empower their members when challenges arose throughout an academic year that took place remotely.

“Through the pandemic, I've come to learn that a lot of successful leadership comes not just from being organized and able to predict everything that could and most possibly would happen with each event, but rather, living in the moment and allowing for growth, even if it may come from failures, trial, and errors,” said Truong. “The pandemic took a lot from everyone; all students have at least faced deprivation, frustration, and burnout. So, our chapter being able to excel so much this year despite all this is a testament to our members’ hard work and dedication.”

Mortar Board is a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for their achievements in scholarship, leadership, and service. The national network comprises over 231 Mortar Board chapters on campuses from Hawaii to Massachusetts.

For more information visit the USD Mortar Board website.