About Us

Scholars...Chosen for Leadership...United to Serve

Who are we?

Mortar Board is a National College Senior Honor Society, dedicated to the values of scholarship, leadership and service, represented by the Greek letters Pi Sigma Alpha (∏∑A).  The organization's colors are gold and silver, symbolizing achievement and opportunity. Our namesake, the mortar board, is an ancient symbol of honor and distinction, as well as the cap worn by graduates of the University.  Mortar Board was nationally established in 1918 by the founding chapters at Cornell University, The University of Michigan, The Ohio State University and Swarthmore College.

The Fayetta Paulsen Chapter

The Bowling Green State University Chapter of Mortar Board is known as the Fayetta Paulsen Chapter and was established in 1969.  It is named in honor of Fayetta Paulsen, a long time University employee and member of the Bowling Green community.  Paulsen played many roles at the University including Associate Dean of Students, Acting Dean of Students, Dean of Women, and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs in Residential Services.

What are we all about?

The values of scholarship, leadership and service are the inspiration for all that Mortar Board does.  Every year we take on numerous service projects in various fields, serving our surrounding communities.  Our national project is the "Reading is Leading" project, dedicated to the promotion of youth literacy.  To fulfill this commitment, Mortar Board participates in book drives, tutoring and many other youth-oriented projects in the Bowling Green and greater-Toledo areas.

Mortar Board members are selected from the top 35% of the GPA scores of the junior class every year.  Therefore, Mortar Board is composed of students who excel in scholarship, as well as leadership, taking an active role in leadership opportunities at the University as well as the surrounding communities.

What do we do?

In addition to weekly general meetings, Mortar Board sponsors several larger events every year.  These include service events, leadership events and socials.  Many general meetings are followed by smaller social events, and chapter-wide formals are also favorites.  The chapter's members work together, through the establishment of an executive board and numerous committees, to set up and execute these events.

One of the larger events that Mortar Board sponsors is the Last Lecture Series, in which a distinguished University professor is invited to give a lecture on the topic of their choice.

Notable Alumni

Some notable members that have been initiated in some of Mortar Board's 226 chartered chapters include:

  • Former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
  • Astronaut on the Challenger Judith Resnick
  • Best-selling author Aron Ralston
  • Professional football player Drew Brees
  • Best-selling author Bruce Littlefield

Mortar Board also has a number of notable honorary members, including:

  • Professional cyclist Lance Armstrong
  • Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
  • Poet Maya Angelou
  • Former President Jimmy Carter
  • Former Mayor of New York Rudolph Giuliani

Read more about our chapter's activities in the Fall 2008 edition of the Mortar Board Forum (pg. 13).