Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society announced that collegiate chapter Delta Alpha at the University of Missouri-Kansas City again this year earned the coveted Gold Torch Award. This award is a national distinction conferred upon Mortar Board’s most exceptional chapters. The award was presented to chapter delegates at the Society’s annual national conference, held earlier this month in Phoenix.

“The Golden Torch Award is only given to the top 5% of all chapters across the nation,” said Delta Alpha chapter president Klorissa Kavan, “and we were also nominated as the best chapter in the nation. I think that speaks volumes to our efforts as an organization.”

Distinguished chapters must excel in chapter operations and promote scholarship, leadership and meaningful service to their institutions. Only 36 chapters, out of 231 nationwide, received the 2015 Mortar Board Gold Torch.

Andy Best, chapter communications chair, added, “We worked hard on all levels, but I think the deciding factor was how our chapter worked with the school to put on events and be part of the UMKC community. It allowed for more events, and we saw a strong relationship and mutual respect growing between UMKC and the Mortar Board organization.”