Mortar Board Presents Gold Torch Award to Berea College Chapter


Mortar Board National Honor SocietyMortar Board National College Senior Honor Society presented a Gold Torch award to its chapter at Berea College. The Gold Torch, a national distinction conferred annually upon the most outstanding chapters of Mortar Board, honored Berea’s excellence in all areas of chapter operations while promoting scholarship, leadership and meaningful service to the College.

“We are extremely proud of our Gold Torch chapters,” said Mortar Board National President Abigail Diehl, Ph.D. “Their members set the bar for excellence as scholar-leaders on their campuses, and their innovative programming positively impacts their communities throughout the year.”

Berea Chapter President Alexandra Yuhas accepted the award at the Society’s national conference held recently in Phoenix. Berea’s chapter was one of 37 earning the honor.

In addition to the chapter honor, Berea’s chapter advisor, Mark Nigro, received the Mortar Board Excellence in Advising Award. Nigro, who is a program associate with the College’s Brushy Fork Institute, was one of only four recipients nationwide.

Mortar Board national honor society recognizes college seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. Since its founding in 1918, more than a 250,000 members have been initiated at 232 chartered chapters across the country. Mortar Board provides opportunities for continued leadership development, promotes service to institutions of higher learning, and encourages lifelong contributions to the global community. Mortar Board members include graduates who are industry leaders, university presidents, best-selling authors, professional athletes, award-winning actors and top government officials. Learn more at: www.mortarboard.org

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Tags: Accolade, Honor society, Students

Berea College, the first interracial and coeducational college in the South, focuses on learning, labor and service. The College only admits academically promising students with limited financial resources—primarily from Kentucky and Appalachia—but welcomes students from 41 states and 76 countries. Every Berea student receives a Tuition Promise Scholarship, which means no Berea student pays for tuition. Berea is one of nine federally recognized Work Colleges, so students work 10 hours or more weekly to earn money for books, housing and meals. The College’s motto, “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth,” speaks to its inclusive Christian character.