UNK Mortar Board Chapter and Adviser Receive National Recognition

Dr. Kenya Taylor
Mortar Board adviser, 308.865.8843

The University of Nebraska at Kearney chapter of Mortar Board and the UNK Mortar Board adviser recently received national recognition at the Mortar Board National Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

Out of more than 200 chapters across the country, the UNK chapter received the Project Excellence Award for two projects: Literacy Across the Lifespan and Books Without Borders. The award recognizes chapters that design and implement creative projects throughout the school year and submit a report of the projects while meeting certain criteria. The UNK Mortar Board chapter received this distinguished honor from among the more than 200 chapters nationwide.

Also recognized during the Mortar Board National Conference was UNK Mortar Board adviser Dr. Kenya Taylor, chair and professor of communication disorders. Dr. Taylor received the Mortar Board National Excellence in Advising Award. The award is given to an adviser who not only exemplifies the ideals of Mortar Board – scholarship, leadership and service – but one who shows excellent service, guidance and support for his/her Mortar Board chapter. Dr. Taylor was nominated for the award by UNK’s senior chapter members and was chosen from among chapter advisers from 213 campuses in the country.

“Over the last two years, Dr. Taylor has challenged the group to plan projects that would have impact far beyond our campus and our state,” a student said of Dr. Taylor. “This year, our group provided textbooks to four schools in El Salvador. Last year, the group sent books to troops in Iraq.”

Mortar Board is a national senior honor society that recognizes seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and service.