Bish Fellows Program

The Bish Fellows is a program that brings together a select cohort of student leaders dedicated to strengthening their Mortar Board chapters and advancing the Society as a whole. Fellows serve as catalysts for pride, connection, and engagement—sharing their experiences and insights to create a lasting impact that extends well beyond their participation year. Each year, the program centers on a key theme designed to enhance both chapter and national initiatives. The 2025–2026 theme is visibility, and Bish Fellows will collaborate to elevate Mortar Board’s presence—on campus, within communities, and across the nation.

25-26 Bish Fellows

Laila Doyle (The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2025)

Mortar Board is meaningful to me because I have always looked up to the people who came before me. I get to join a national organization where I can connect with other university students and alumni. This is why I want to join the Bish Fellows program: I want to build relationships with alumni who can help me grow into a better leader. As a Bish Fellow, I hope to inspire generations of Mortar Boards. (Major: Nutrition and Health Sciences)

Chubing Fang (University of Maryland, 2025)

Mortar Board is meaningful to me because it is a recognition of my scholarship and leadership. I want to take on a larger role through the Bish Fellows Program because, during my research on Mortar Board, numerous members have expressed how much they enjoyed their involvement in the society, and it really made the college experience special. I want to have and share that experience. (Major: Finance)

Joey Fiore (Longwood University, 2025)

Mortar Board is meaningful to me because it connects me with individuals who share the same core values, people who genuinely want to make the world better. What motivates me to take on a larger role through the Bish Fellows Program is the chance to give back to an organization that has supported me, and to help shape its future by serving others, encouraging growth, and building stronger connections across chapters. (Major: Business Administration)

Anusha Sharma (University of Arizona, 2025)

Mortar Board has been a cornerstone of my college experience, influencing how I interact with my community and peers. The Society has taught me the value of teamwork and deliberate action, enabling me to combine my passions with practical results. Taking on a wider role through the Bish Fellows Program excites me because it allows me to expand Mortar Board's goal beyond my chapter, share insights from my experiences, and learn from student leaders around the country. (Major: Global Studies/Global Health)

Riley Thrasher (University of Mississippi, 2025)

Mortar Board has provided me with an organization that values and nurtures values that are important to me and has truly enhanced my college experience. I would love to take on the role of a Bish fellow to introduce more students like me to this amazing opportunity. I believe there are many more students who would be interested in and thrive in Mortar Board if they were exposed to the organization, and my goal as a Bish fellow is to make sure students know about this amazing opportunity. (Major: Philosophy and Political Science)

Program Benefits

  • National mentoring and networking: Be paired with a Mortar Board alumni mentor for individualized mentoring sessions. 
  • Peer connections: Network with student leaders from across the country to share ideas and experiences. 
  • Professional development: Participate in skill-building, leadership growth opportunities, and engaging discussions. 
  • Exclusive Mortar Board merchandise: Receive recognition and special perks as part of the Mortar Board Ambassador Program. 
  • $150 stipend: Awarded to students upon successful completion of the program. 

Program Requirements

  • Monthly meetings: Attend one virtual meeting per month. Meetings focus on program updates, connections, and professional development. 
  • Content creation: Contribute written and video content to support the work of the Mortar Board Ambassador program and promote engagement and opportunities across the Society. 
  • Collaborative grant project: Work as a team to design and review a Chapter Grant Program that provides financial support for chapter visibility initiatives nationwide 
  • Active participation: Engage fully in the cohort by sharing your ideas, energy, and perspective to help shape and strengthen the future of Mortar Board. 

The Bish Fellows Legacy

The Bish Fellows program was established through the generosity of Lucille “Ann” Bish, in honor of her mother, Vivian Townsend Bish.

Who is Vivian Townsend Bish?

Vivian attended The Ohio State University and was tapped into Mortar Board in the spring of 1919 as part of an 11-member class. Due to war implications, she was unable to complete her studies, but her legacy was honored a century later when she was named a posthumous Honorary Member in 2019.

A Family Affair

Her daughters carried forward that tradition of leadership and scholarship. Elizabeth “Betty” Bish was a member of Mortar Board at Ohio State in 1945, and Lucille “Ann” Bish followed in 1950 after earning her B.S. in Education. Ann went on to live in Schenectady, New York, and remained deeply committed to Mortar Board’s mission throughout her life.

The Generosity of the Bish Family

Upon Ann’s passing, she left a transformative estate gift of $250,000 - the largest one-time gift in Mortar Board’s history - establishing both the Vivian Townsend Bish Fellowship and the Bish Fellows Program. Ann’s extraordinary generosity ensures that her family’s legacy of dedication to Mortar Board and its mission of education, service, and leadership will continue to inspire generations to come.