Initiated in the Spring of 1996, the Dean Betty Nelson Service Award honors one Purdue student affiliated with a student organization and one student organization, both of which excel in community service in the Lafayette-West Lafayette area.  These students often go unrecognized due to their nature as “servants” to their fellow citizens.  Mortar Board seeks to recognize those who have been instrumental in the continuing success or initiation of service programs.  The award consists of $500 to the student winner and $500 to a student organization.  Self-nominations are welcome. 

Current juniors and seniors who have greater than a 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply for this award. The award seeks to recognize students who have created an impact throughout Purdue and/or the local community in efforts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The application can be accessed by visiting Mortar Board's BoilerLink page, and completed applications.

Since 1997, the Mortar Board Challenge Scholarship has recognized sophomores who have excelled in the areas of scholarship, leadership and service. The scholarship exists in tandem to challenge these students to continue to have a positive impact on the Purdue community as they continue their educational experience. The winner is announced at the annual Mortar Board banquet and awarded a $500 honorarium for educational fees.

The Rose Awards are given by the chapter to clerical and service staff workers nominated by faculty, staff, or students who know the work habits of the nominee. After the Awards Committee searches through hundreds of applications, chosen honorees are surprised by members of the chapter while at work.

Mortar Board is awarding funds for school fees to current Purdue freshmen and sophomores who have shown excellence in service, leadership, and scholarship.

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 is required. In promoting the ideals of Mortar Board, selection of fellowship recipients is based on scholastic record, character, service to campus and community, and stated professional goals.  Financial need is considered, but is not the determining factor. Do not list any activities, leadership, awards, jobs, or other information that occurred during high school.

Mortar Board annually awards graduate fellowships to encourage high-achieving Purdue students to pursue an advanced degree in graduate or professional studies. By awarding these fellowships, Mortar Board sought to benefit and recognize students who show potential leadership in their chosen field and in their community. 

To continue and remember the legacy of Dean Helen B. Schleman, who served as Dean of Women from 1947 to 1968, the Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion Award is presented to a deserving faculty member or administrator for her/his contributions to Purdue, especially in the promotion and advancement of women students and women’s issues.

This award was started by the class of 1968 in honor of Dean Helen B. Schleman. The Medallion award was created in partnership with that year’s class of Mortar Boarders, the Women’s Residence Council, Panhellenic and Off-Campus Women. Today, Mortar Boarders chair the committee that hand-picks a male or female faculty or staff member who honor the legacy of Dean Schleman.

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