The Hope College chapter of the Mortar Board national collegiate honor society has received three awards for activity during the 1999-2000 school year.
The college's Alcor Chapter received two "Project
Excellence Awards": one for its annual Thanksgiving dinner
for Hope's international students, and another for its
"Reading Buddies" program with Lincoln Elementary School.
Only 30 chapters received "Project Excellence Awards," from
among more than 200 chapters nationwide.
The Hope chapter also received a "Silver Torch"
award for excellence in maintaining the national
organization's standards.
The awards were presented during Mortar Board's
2000 National Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., during the
summer. The Hope chapter's awards were accepted by senior
Kirsten Slotten of Grand Ledge, who is serving as the
chapter's president during the current, 2000-01 school year.
"We got to accept awards on behalf of last year's chapter,
which was neat because we were able to continue the
chapter's traditions while having something to strive for,
too," she said.
Mortar Board 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 life-long contributions to the global community.
The national organization was founded in 1918.
The 40-member Alcor Chapter has existed at Hope
since the 1936-37 academic year, although it did not become
part of the national Mortar Board organization until 1961.