Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society has presented a Gold Torch award to the Quo Vadis chapter at the University of North Dakota.

The Gold Torch is a national distinction conferred annually upon the most outstanding chapters of Mortar Board.

Recipients excel in all areas of chapter operations while promoting scholarship, leadership and meaningful service to their institutions.

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

UND chapter president Holly Mitzel, Grand Forks, accepted the award at the Society’s national conference, which was held in Indianapolis. This year, only 36 chapters took home the Gold Torch.

Mortar Board, Inc., is a national honor society that 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 lifelong contributions to the global community.

Since its founding in 1918, more than a quarter of a million members have been initiated at 231 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 is proud to claim numerous industry leaders, university presidents, best-selling authors, professional athletes, award-winning actors and top government officials among its members.

Notable members include NFL quarterback and philanthropist Drew Brees (Purdue University, 2001), nationally-known speaker David Coleman (Bowling Green State University, 1982), former Director of the National Science Foundation Rita Colwell (Purdue University, 1956), Golden Girls star Rue McClanahan (The University of Tulsa, 1956), U.S. Army Installation Management Director John B. Nerger (Northwestern University, 1978), author and subject of the film 127 Hours Aron Ralston (Carnegie Mellon University, 1997), astronaut on the Challenger Judith Resnick (Carnegie Mellon University, 1971), Politician and educator Condoleezza Rice (University of Denver, 1974) and WNBA basketball star Katie Smith (The Ohio State University, 1996)