The University of Puget Sound’s chapter of the Mortar Board National College Honor Society has been awarded the 2026 Silver Torch Award. This honor recognizes chapters that excel in scholarship, leadership, and service, while also meeting all national standards and deadlines. The chapter’s advisor, Mathematics and Computer Science Instructor Alison Paradise ’82, has also been recognized with the Excellence in Advising Award for her outstanding dedication and leadership in revitalizing the chapter.
The Silver Torch Award is presented to chapters that demonstrate exemplary operations, promote meaningful service to their campus communities, and fulfill all national criteria and requirements. Unlike other awards, chapters do not apply for this recognition; rather, it is based on a review of national records, requiring chapters to meet all national minimum standards and deadlines while exemplifying the organization’s core ideals.
Puget Sound’s Mortar Board chapter has a rich history on campus, originally established in 1923 as the OTLAH Senior Honor Society for women before officially joining the national Mortar Board organization in 1959. Today, membership is open to all qualified students regardless of gender, and the chapter remains an active presence on campus, providing members with opportunities for leadership development, service, and lifelong connections to the global community.
Under Paradise’s leadership, the chapter has gained new energy and momentum. Paradise was inducted into Mortar Board as a student in 1982 and took on the advisor role two years ago. Since then, she has focused on enhancing the chapter’s operations and its visibility on campus.
“It’s nice to be recognized for your hard work sometimes,” Paradise said. “We’ve been very active with the national organization — we go to the meetings, send in our reports, and do everything on time. It’s kind of fun to be recognized for that.”
Paradise is one of six advisors nationwide to receive the 2026 Excellence in Advising Award, which recognizes Mortar Board chapter advisors who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the organization’s purpose and have gone above and beyond in their work with a collegiate chapter.
Paradise stepped into her role and immediately began rebuilding a struggling chapter. Through consistent membership selection efforts each fall and spring, she and chapter members have helped restore stability and create a strong foundation for future success. Paradise also actively engages with the broader Mortar Board Society by regularly participating in national programs and has expanded the chapter’s visibility by developing partnerships with other honor societies and on-campus organizations.
Led by an engaged student executive team, including Chapter President Chessie Bolt ’27 and Vice President Kyi Gasmen Carino ’28, the chapter continues to provide exceptional opportunities for its leaders. While Bolt gained valuable experience attending the national conference virtually last year, Carino will represent the university at this year’s in-person Mortar Board National Conference in Columbus, Ohio, further showcasing the impressive caliber of Puget Sound’s student leadership.
“We have a really active executive team, and that really helped out a lot,” Paradise said. “We’ve also got some really good team members that are just really excited about doing something with the chapter.”
The Puget Sound’s Mortar Board chapter recognizes college juniors and seniors for excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. Membership is by invitation only and is based on demonstrated academic achievement and commitment to campus and community service. The chapter provides members with opportunities for continued leadership development, networking with alumni, and access to national scholarships, including study abroad funding.
“It’s also about leadership and scholarship and service — it’s not just about your education,” Paradise said. “It’s about what you do with it, how you lead with it, and how you serve the campus and community.”
About Mortar Board National College Honor Society
Founded in 1918, Mortar Board National College Honor Society recognizes college juniors and seniors for excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. With 236 chapters nationwide, it empowers students to make a lasting impact and is a certified member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS). Learn more at mortarboard.org.
