EVENTS
Annual Events
01
Anniversary Events
The Barbara Cook Chapter of Mortar Board is celebrating a major anniversary! Special events will be taking place throughout the 2026-2027 academic year. Find details on the Anniversary Page, or our Instagram!
02
Leadership Conference
Mortar Board strives to be an example in leadership, and we take inspiration from the best. A Leadership Conference will be held on Sunday March 8, 2026, featuring leaders from around Purdue University to provide insight on their journeys through responsibility, accomplishment, service, and initiative in our community, and to converse on how to be the best leader you can be in your own involvements.
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A web link to attend the conference virtually will be published here soon!
03
Purdue Day of Giving
Purdue Day of Giving is the premier opportunity to show support for the Barbara Cook Chapter as members of the Purdue family and beyond. The Chapter will be creating various outreach communications for this special day to show off our community, so keep your eyes open for us as April 29th, 2026 approaches to catch us on PDOG!
04
Reading is Leading
Reading is Leading is a national program with the Mortar Board Honor Society. This is an event that the Purdue Mortar Board hosts annually, bringing 200 elementary school students from West Lafayette/Lafayette to Purdue’s campus where students participate in a series of activities lead by Purdue student volunteers.
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The Reading is Leading program intends to serve the local community and make a difference in children’s lives by engaging with elementary school students to excite a passion for reading. In addition, the program focuses on creating excitement for learning, ambition for college, and pride for Purdue. Student leaders from across campus including ROTC members, musicians, researchers, and athletes serve as “Celebrity Readers,” reading their favorite books to the elementary students. The children also play hopscotch with sight words, write, and learn cheers, song, and dances that highlight the importance of reading.
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In the past Reading is Leading has had an important impact on young students. Teachers discuss that they have been very grateful for their students’ improved attitudes towards reading and school after attending Reading is Leading. Purdue University student participants also are grateful for this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students in the surrounding community. It is truly a special event for Purdue and Mortar Board alike.