Ole Miss Mortar Board Chapter Honored for Service, Overall Excellence
Tassels Chapter recognized for efforts to promote literacy and boost campus visibility
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi chapter of Mortar Board national honor society has earned its fifth consecutive Gold Torch Award, along with several other honors, for its continuing work to promote leadership and make a difference in the community.
The Mortar Board national organization also recognized the university's Tassels Chapter with an Outstanding Achievement Award for on-campus visibility and Project Excellence awards for community service and for "Reading is Leading."
The community service recognition honored the chapter's book and school supply drives. The "Reading is Leading" award was for read-aloud visits with kindergarten students at Lafayette Elementary School.
"These awards are a testament to the passion, leadership and commitment of our executive leadership and chapter members," said Emily Ferris, change management lead for Encompass, associate director of the Division of Outreach and Continuing Education and the chapter's adviser.
"Earning a fifth consecutive Gold Torch recognizes the countless hours our students invest in creating meaningful programs and celebrates their commitment to excellence in scholarship, leadership and service, the core values that define Mortar Board. It is rewarding to see their efforts recognized."
Mortar Board is a national honor society recognizing college juniors and seniors for exemplary scholarship, leadership and service. Ole Miss was among only 19 chapters, selected from 236 chapters nationwide, to earn a Gold Torch Award.
The Tassels Chapter has 51 active members, and officers expect to initiate about 40 new members in spring 2027. Chapter officers also plan to continue efforts to benefit the community.
"The Books and Bears drives will continue to be a focus this year, along with reading to kindergarten students in Lafayette County," said Sydney Sudduth, a senior biochemistry and biological sciences major from Pascagoula and the chapter's 2026-27 president. "With these projects, we hope to continue to enhance literacy throughout the community.
"We also have plans to introduce a new service project to further serve the Oxford-Lafayette community."
Top: Members of the Tassels Chapter's 2025-26 executive team – (from left) Senton Granberry, alumni chair; Diya Patel, historian; Wesley Templet, vice president; Aidan Waters, president; Benson Le, tapping chair; Landen Vanstory, treasurer; and Zoe Rubenstein, DEI&B chair – show off their graduation stoles. The chapter has earned several awards from the Mortar Board national organization for its campus activities and community service efforts. Submitted photo