Mortar Board at Purdue University

We are grateful to share that the Barbara Cook Chapter at Purdue has been recognized with 3 awards this year by Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society!

• Gold Torch Award
• Project Excellence Award
• Outstanding Achievement Award

Through the 2025-2026 academic year, the chapter worked hard to hold true to our pillars of scholarship, leadership, and service. Bringing back our Leadership Conference, continuing to recognize Purdue students and staff with awards and scholarships, and engaging with our amazing alumni were just a few accomplishments of this Centennial year. Thank you to the National Office for presenting our chapter with this recognition and we are excited to keep up this momentum this fall with the Class of 2027. Boiler Up!

What Mortar Board has been up to this summer!

Getting the jump on a nationwide push for localized centennial celebrations, an astoundingly intergenerational set of Purdue Mortar Boards gathered on June 8 in West Lafayette to celebrate the 100th birthday of our chapter.

Purdue Mortar Boards Linda Sorensen (1962), Marilynn Dammon (1968), Joanne Troutner and Jane Hamblin (1973), Betsy Marti (2002), and Roger Stewart (2009) hosted the lively event over drinks and hors d’oeuvres at The Whittaker Inn. Members heard from 2025 chapter president Lauren Kish and 2026 president Aarushi Gupta about the chapter’s activities and plans for an on-campus celebration on October 17 at PMU.

As a group we reflected on what made Mortar Board special to us. Following the group photo and singing of Happy Birthday, Dean of Students Katie Sermersheim took a moment to compliment our chapter on being a group to count on at Purdue.

It’s Official - The Centennial Celebration is October 17, 2026!

For 100 years, Purdue Mortar Board has recognized and celebrated leaders dedicated to scholarship, leadership, and service. We invite you to return to campus and join fellow alumni, advisors, students, and friends for the Centennial Celebration to honor the remarkable legacy of the chapter and the generations of members who have shaped it.

This special event will feature dinner, speakers, and décor reflecting a century of Mortar Board history and tradition.

Whether your induction was five years ago or fifty, your story is part of our history. Gathered at the source of many memories for our alumni, the Purdue Memorial Union, we hope you can join us for this celebratory evening. Share with your friends and fellow Purdue Mortar Board alumni!

Find the link to register below-

The Centennial Celebration
Saturday, October 17 at 6:00PM
Purdue Memorial Union, South Ballroom

Register here! - https://events.blackthorn.io/en/3ktO526/purdue-mortar-board-centennial-celebration-4a9GQp2kun/overview

As we continue to celebrate our Centennial, we invite all members and alumni to join the Purdue Mortar Board Alumni Council next week for the virtual event “Notes from Two Purdue Journalists” with Ginger Thompson and Mark Schoeff, Jr.

Both Mortar Board alumni who are highly esteemed in their field, we look forward to hearing about their career journeys and their work on a national and global scale. Please use the link below to register!

May 27, 2026
7:30PM EST
Zoom

Sign up here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Qgya-hSCQoOeWKgGiFnwAQ #/registration

As we approach the end of the school year, The Barbara Cook Chapter wants to take a moment and celebrate our amazing seniors from the Class of 2026! 🎉

Last week, they enjoyed a fantastic day together at the Centennial Celebration Baseball Game, soaking up lots of sunshine and fun. A few days later, was their official senior send-off in front of the Purdue Memorial Union.

Each of these incredible individuals has left a mark on our community, and while we will miss them dearly, we couldn’t be prouder as they prepare to graduate. Their futures are shining bright! ✨💛🖤

Congratulations to our 2026 scholarship and award recipients! These students, organizations, and staff members represent the best of Purdue! 🎓🚂

Our chapter is proud to recognize outstanding student leaders and individuals who go have made significant contributions to the University.

To learn more about each award and scholarship, check out our website here ➡️ https://www.purduemortarboard.com/awards-scholarships