Senior Advisor Amber Messersmith Recieves National Award

Mortar Board Xi Phi Chapter Senior Advisor Amber Messersmith won the prestigious Excellence in Advising Award at the Mortar Board National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia last week. The recognition was awarded to the top three advisors from more than 230 chapters across the nation.

Messersmith's students nominated her for her dedication to the organization.  She takes the time to get to know each member and fosters a sense of community within the chapter.  Students also noted that she is present at all chapter activities and continuously encourages them to go above and beyond, always proving to be an inspirational force. 

Mortar Board Earns National Recognition

Xi Phi Chapter President Maggie Jackson and Senior Advisor Amber Messersmith, second and third from left respectively, received the Ruth Weimer Mount Chapter Excellence Award at Mortar Board National Conference.  Also pictured are Section Coordinator Kristi Okerlund from the University of North Dakota, far left, and president of Mortar Board National Council Martha Starling, far right.

The Xi Phi chapter of Mortar Board won the organization’s highest national honor, the Ruth Weimer Mount Chapter Excellence Award, at the Aug. 1-3 Mortar Board National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.  The award is presented each year to the nation’s single most exceptional chapter.

The Xi Phi chapter of Mortar Board also received the Golden Torch Award, which is awarded to 24 chapters that contribute meaningful scholarship, leadership, and service to their institutions. UNK has received the recognition 15 out of the last 16 years.

In addition, Xi Phi won nine Project Excellence awards, given to chapters for notable achievements in scholarship, leadership, fundraising, service, and involvement. The recognized projects were: Faculty Appreciation Dinner, Campus Cleanup, Freshman and Sophomore recognition event, Fuel Around the Fountain, Last Lecture Series, Outstanding Freshman and Sophomore Awards, Reading is Leading program, True Blue game days, and Veteran's Day letter writing event.

2013-2014 Outstanding Sophomore Sends Appreciation

Sophomore Mallory Placek was awarded the Rosenlof and McKenzie Outstanding Sophomore Scholarship during the new member initiation last April.  After receiving her award, Mallory wanted to send her thanks to all of the Mortar Board Alumni who made this scholarship possible.  

Dear Alumni,

Thank you for your generous donations that help fund the Mortar Board Outstanding Sophomore Scholarship that I received this last spring.  I was humbled to receive such an honorable scholarship.  Thank you for all of your encouragement and support that you give to the students of UNK. 

This upcoming fall I will be a junior at UNK studying both Spanish and Organizational and Relational Communications.  I will be participating in the Peru Study Abroad trip this spring to further my Spanish major and enhance my Spanish speaking and listening skills, as well as experience an entirely new culture.  I am excited to spread my wings and be pushed outside of my comfort level.  I know that Peru will offer me new and sensational opportunities that I will never forget. 

Again, thank you for supporting me.

With appreciation,

Mallory Placek