Camarillo, Calif., Nov. 25, 2014 – The Four Pillars chapter of Mortar Board at CSU Channel Islands (CI) was named among the nation’s top chapters for 2014. CI’s chapter of the national honor society earned the Silver Torch Award, presented to outstanding Mortar Board chapters that exemplify the ideals of scholarship, leadership and service and meet all standards and deadlines. Only 67 of the nation’s 231 Mortar Board chapters earned a Silver Torch Award. The awards were presented during the 2014 Mortar Board National Conference, held over the summer in Atlanta.
“We are so proud that CI’s Mortar Board earned this award for the second consecutive year,” said Alina Mitina, chapter president. “For a chapter as new and young as ours to gain national recognition is a tribute to the dedication of all the members who strive to live the ideals of outstanding scholarship, leadership and service in our daily lives.”
Mitina and Vice President Shiva Tadayon traveled to Atlanta in August to accept the award. They also attended development workshops and exchanged ideas with other Mortar Board representatives from across the nation.
Founded in 2011 and composed of 21 students, CI’s Mortar Board is the premier national honor society recognizing college seniors for superior achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. Members are students with cumulative GPAs of over 3.5 and a demonstrated and ongoing commitment to their studies, campus and community. Mortar Board members attend regular meetings and participate in community service and campus enrichment activities. For example, in the fall, the group organized and ran a school supply drive for the Rio School District. The effort filled more than 80 student backpacks with supplies for the school year.
For more information, contact the group’s advisors, Andrea Grove at andrea.grove@csuci.edu or 805-437-3124, or Janet Pinkley at janet.pinkley@csuci.edu or 805-437-3217, or Chapter President Alina Mitina, alina.mitina326@myci.csuci.edu.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.