Ever heard of the Mortar Board? Maybe not, but your future employers probably have. The Mortar Board is a national senior honor society and today marks the Penn State chapter’s 75th year in existence.

The board was started in 1918 as a national honor society for women entering their senior year, focusing on scholarship, leadership and service. In 1935, the Penn State chapter was established. The board opened membership to men in 1975– the same year one MoBo alum, Pat Farrell, petitioned for the words of the Alma Mater to include women. 

Mortar Board alumni include many other big-names such as Cordelia Hibbs (Hibbs Hall ring a bell?), Helen Wise (first female member of the PSU Board of Trustees), and Felicia Lewis (interim State College mayor) — to name a few. 

The Penn State chapter is currently focusing on reading, through their “Reading is Leading” pro-literacy program. As a loyal Onward State reader, I’m sure this is something you can relate to. 

The Mortar Board is definitely something worth getting involved in during your senior year at Penn State, and in true blue-and-white fashion, the alumni are very highly valued. In fact, there is even a Mortar Board Alumni Group of State College to prevent any Mortar-withdrawal symptoms post-graduation. 

So to the past, present and future Mortar Board members of Penn State: Happy 75th Anniversary!