Clavia Chapter of the Mortar Board Society records

The Ball State University Clavia Chapter of the Mortar Board is part of a national honor society of college seniors recognized for their superior scholarship, outstanding and continual leadership, and dedicated service to the University community. Students who maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher will receive an eligibility form in the spring of their junior year. Clavia means key, and became the chapter name and the official insignia of Ball State University's Mortar Board chapter. The chapter was founded to honor the scholastic achievements of female students as well as to foster a sense of fellowship.

In 1950, Clavia was formed at Ball State Teachers Collection around four charter members, Irma Spellman, Mary Rinard, Pat Maloon, and Betty Degner. In cooperation with the Dean of Women, Martha Wickham and Dr. Gertrude Couch, a faculty member from the Science Departments, the charter members established the honorary. Thelma Hiatt of International Student Programs aided in drafting the group's constitution, and the first sponsors were Dr. Couch as Mrs. Aline Emens, wife of Ball State University President John R. Emens. It was not until 1967 that Clavia began sending annual reports to the Mortar Board National Senior Women's Honorary Society for consideration of membership. On April 18, 1971 the Clavia Chapter of the Mortar Board was installed and an initiation ceremony was held in the Ball State University Museum of Art to celebrate the charter.