Brandon Rogers named to University of Kansas Mortar Board

2012 Apr 24

Forty-five University of Kansas students have been initiated into Mortar Board, a senior honor society, including Brandon Rogers, of Plano, Texas. He is the son of John K. and Debbie Rogers and a graduate of Plano West Senior High School. Rogers is a junior in human biology, Psychology concentration.

The initiation ceremony was April 15 for students and their families, chapter alumni and invited guests. A reception followed at the Kansas Union. Carlye Yanker, a junior from Ballwin, Mo., is chapter president for 2012-2013. Sue Geoffrion Neverve is president of Lawrence Mortar Board Alumni.

New Mortar Board members are selected by outgoing chapter members based on distinguished ability and achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. Students must have a 3.0 grade-point average and hold senior status during some or all of the academic year. Andy Kriegh, outgoing chapter president, said the average GPA for all newly initiated members was 3.76. Kriegh is a spring 2012 graduate from Lawrence.

Mortar Board advisers are Mary Burg, executive assistant to the chancellor; Charles Marsh, professor of journalism; and Sandy Garrett, Lawrence Mortar Board Alumni, Beth Innocenti, professor of communication studies and Charlie Persinger, director of university ceremonies and special events.

Founded originally in 1912 as the Torch senior women's society, the organization became KU's Mortar Board chapter in 1924, affiliating with the national Mortar Board women's honor society. Mortar Board opened membership to men in 1975.