The IUP chapter of Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society has received its second Silver Torch Award for overall excellence.

The Silver Torch Award is presented to less than 15 percent of the nation's 200 chapters by the national organization on the basis of a chapter's commitment to scholarship, leadership and service.

Mortar Board initiates college juniors each year who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, student leadership and community service at their institutions.

Participants continue as active Mortar Board members during their senior year. IUP's chapter, chartered in 1997, has 50 active members.

Mortar Board members are engaged in many community service projects throughout the year. Currently, IUP's Mortar Board chapter is working with the Reading is Leading program, the national project of Mortar Board Inc.

Since its founding, Mortar Board at IUP has initiated 500 undergraduate, alumni and honorary members. In addition to the 2008 and 2000 Silver Torch Awards, IUP's chapter won the 1998 Outstanding Programming Award for work with Indiana's Center for Family Life and the 1999 Chapter of Excellence Award from the national organization.