Special to The Hays Daily News

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Gold Cord chapter at Fort Hays State University was among the outstanding Mortar Board chapters honored at the 2012 Mortar Board National Conference in Chicago in late July.

The group was one of only 31 chapters to take home the Golden Torch Award, presented to the most exceptional chapters of Mortar Board. Recipients must exceed minimum standards, accomplishing significant results in chapter management and contributing meaningful service to their institutions.

The chapter also was honored with its regional group, Section 17, for the section project, "Harvesters," which was completed in conjunction with the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Northwest Missouri State University, University of Missouri at Columbia, University of Missouri at Kansas City, Stephens College, Washburn University, Washington University, Wichita State University and William Jewell College.

This is the fifth consecutive year the section has participated in the project, which benefits Harvesters, a Kansas City community food bank.

Chapter president Carmen Thompson and vice president Madison Edwards were present to accept the chapter's awards.

Mortar Board is the premier national honor society recognizing college seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and service.

Since its founding in 1918, the society has grown from four to 229 chartered collegiate chapters with more than a quarter-million members across the nation. The Gold Cord chapter at Fort Hays State University was chartered in 1971 and has 11 members.