By Elisabeth Zarnoti '17

Knox College’s chapter of Mortar Board was awarded the Silver Torch Award for the third year in a row at Mortar Board’s 2016 National Conference, recognizing the organization's chapter operations and service to the College. The chapter also received the Project Excellence Award for the second year in a row, in recognition of its “Teach Me Anything” lecture series.

Mortar Board is an honor society founded in 1918 for accomplished seniors who have excellent records of academic achievement, community service, and leadership. Mortar Board’s chapter at Knox, Adelphi-Gnouthautii, is named after two campus debate clubs and was founded in 1920, making it the 10th oldest chapter in the nation.

The objective of the “Teach Me Anything“ series is to create a space for information to be shared without the limited framework of a classroom and a test, said Abigail Neuhauser ‘17, the organization’s president.

From Assistant Professor of Physics Nathalie Haurberg '06's lecture on Saturn’s moon, Titan, to Bright Professor of History Catherine Denial's lecture on the musical Hamilton, professors were given the freedom to discuss their own interests.

According to Neuhauser, “Mortar Board took a huge step forward in making the chapter more visible to the Knox community with the Teach Me Anything series. It was a super fun way to get both faculty and students more involved in promoting scholarship in varying fields in the Knox community.”

Mortar Board chapter advisor Laura Bush said that these national awards confirm the chapter’s commitment to adhering to best practices. “They are an active chapter that is engaged with the campus community, as well as maintaining excellent records and communications with the national chapter.”

Looking toward the upcoming school year, Neuhauser remarked that Mortar Board will continue to host the lecture series, since its first year “was a huge success.”