ARCHOUSAI CHAPTER HISTORY
The Archousai Chapter was actually established as a unique, local honor society for Penn State women in December of 1927. Members were chosen from the junior class at the close of 1927 for the following virtues:
Archousai is a Greek term that means "officials." Designated women were selected by their peers to serve as "officials/archousai" in charge of supervising the religious celebration of Thesmophoria along with the priestess of the cult. The festival of the Thesmophoria took place in the Athenian month Pyanepsion (approximately October) and was reserved for women only. In ancient Greece, on this and other such occasions, the women assembled in the traditional way to celebrate their womanhood and fertility.
The participation of most women in the ongoing economic activities of the town and country, and the contributions of even upper-class women to the prosperity of the household, was the foundation of Greek social, political, and economic life. For if the polis of ancient Athens was from one perspective a 'male club', as is often claimed, then it is evident that it was also one in which many women enjoyed a kind of guest membership, and to which others, of the more prosperous classes, constituted an important and necessary 'women's auxiliary' (1)."
On November 23, 1935, Archousai became the Archousai Chapter of Mortar Board, Inc. It was only fitting that Archousai would want to become a chapter affiliated with this national organization. Mortar Board, as a national organization, began in 1918 and was the first organization which honored Senior College Women recognized for Service (Pi), Scholarship (Sigma) & Leadership (Alpha). The 1935 La Vie states that Archousai was the most select group at Penn State.
- Leadership in campus activities
- Worthy Character
- Personality
- Sportsmanship
- Willingness to cooperate with others
Archousai is a Greek term that means "officials." Designated women were selected by their peers to serve as "officials/archousai" in charge of supervising the religious celebration of Thesmophoria along with the priestess of the cult. The festival of the Thesmophoria took place in the Athenian month Pyanepsion (approximately October) and was reserved for women only. In ancient Greece, on this and other such occasions, the women assembled in the traditional way to celebrate their womanhood and fertility.
The participation of most women in the ongoing economic activities of the town and country, and the contributions of even upper-class women to the prosperity of the household, was the foundation of Greek social, political, and economic life. For if the polis of ancient Athens was from one perspective a 'male club', as is often claimed, then it is evident that it was also one in which many women enjoyed a kind of guest membership, and to which others, of the more prosperous classes, constituted an important and necessary 'women's auxiliary' (1)."
On November 23, 1935, Archousai became the Archousai Chapter of Mortar Board, Inc. It was only fitting that Archousai would want to become a chapter affiliated with this national organization. Mortar Board, as a national organization, began in 1918 and was the first organization which honored Senior College Women recognized for Service (Pi), Scholarship (Sigma) & Leadership (Alpha). The 1935 La Vie states that Archousai was the most select group at Penn State.
The evolution of Mortar Board, Inc. mirrors society at large. In 1975 Mortar Board voted to admit men into membership. Penn State admitted its first men into the chapter in 1976.
The 1951 La Vie states that "Mardi Gras proceeds went to the Charlotte E. Ray Scholarship Fund" La Vie states that activities of Mortar Board included decorating goal posts, sponsoring an infirmary for women and serving as hostesses at the Inaugural Reception of Penn State President Milton S. Eisenhower.
Penn State's Archousai chapter of Mortar Board has inducted over 1300 students since 1935. Its members have gone on to lead lives of Service, Scholarship and Leadership in numerous and varied ways. The current national president of Mortar Board is a Penn State initiate, Dr. Barbara J. Arnold. Each year the national Mortar Board bestows Alumni Achievement Awards. In 2003, Dr. Marty Starling, a member of the State College Alumni Group was selected for this honor. Mortar Board members live the ideals long after their collegiate affiliation ends. Mortar Board has a glorious history with a future filled with exciting potential.
The Archousai Chapter has been actively involved in different projects and service events. The 2005-2006 class held a “Spring Into Reading” event at the Schlow Public Library. The event included Penn State student-athletes reading books to children, arts and crafts projects, and face painting.
Joe Paterno, Penn State football coach, and his wife Sue were made honorary members of Mortar Board in the spring of 2006. The 2006-2007 class held a Reverse Trick or Treat event and gathered 150 lbs of food that was donated to the State College Food Bank. They also held two of Mortar Board’s signature “Last Lecture Series” events. Over the last few years, the Archousai chapter of Mortar Board has placed an emphasis on books and reading.
The 1951 La Vie states that "Mardi Gras proceeds went to the Charlotte E. Ray Scholarship Fund" La Vie states that activities of Mortar Board included decorating goal posts, sponsoring an infirmary for women and serving as hostesses at the Inaugural Reception of Penn State President Milton S. Eisenhower.
Penn State's Archousai chapter of Mortar Board has inducted over 1300 students since 1935. Its members have gone on to lead lives of Service, Scholarship and Leadership in numerous and varied ways. The current national president of Mortar Board is a Penn State initiate, Dr. Barbara J. Arnold. Each year the national Mortar Board bestows Alumni Achievement Awards. In 2003, Dr. Marty Starling, a member of the State College Alumni Group was selected for this honor. Mortar Board members live the ideals long after their collegiate affiliation ends. Mortar Board has a glorious history with a future filled with exciting potential.
The Archousai Chapter has been actively involved in different projects and service events. The 2005-2006 class held a “Spring Into Reading” event at the Schlow Public Library. The event included Penn State student-athletes reading books to children, arts and crafts projects, and face painting.
Joe Paterno, Penn State football coach, and his wife Sue were made honorary members of Mortar Board in the spring of 2006. The 2006-2007 class held a Reverse Trick or Treat event and gathered 150 lbs of food that was donated to the State College Food Bank. They also held two of Mortar Board’s signature “Last Lecture Series” events. Over the last few years, the Archousai chapter of Mortar Board has placed an emphasis on books and reading.
SERVICE | SCHOLARSHIP | LEADERSHIP
1. From: http://mkatz.web.wesleyan.edu/cciv243/cciv243.CIHAGChapter.html [Chapter 5 in The Cambridge Illustrated History of Ancient Greece, ed. Paul Cartledge (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998), pp. 100-138, in section titled: Demographics.]