Distinguished Lifetime Membership
The Distinguished Lifetime Membership honors an alumni member who although numerous years beyond initiation has retained significant and meaningful connections and service to Mortar Board throughout their lifetime and demonstrated seminal and groundbreaking community or campus leadership on a regional, national, or international plane. Recipients epitomize the meaning of a lifetime of service to Mortar Board.
Janet G. Farrington (University of Mississippi, 1964)
Janet Griffin Farrington (Jan) has spent more than six decades exemplifying Mortar Board’s ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service through an extraordinary record of civic engagement, philanthropy, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and volunteerism. Few individuals embody the ideals of Mortar Board as completely and consistently as Jan Farrington. While her accomplishments are extraordinary, what distinguishes Jan most is the humility, generosity, and integrity with which she has devoted her life to serving others.
As an initiate of the University of Mississippi’s Tassels Chapter in 1964, Jan has remained deeply connected to Mortar Board throughout her life. Her service extends far beyond that of an engaged alumna. As a Charter Member of the Torch Society (number 12), a three-term member of the Mortar Board National Foundation Board of Trustees, Foundation Board Secretary, Fellowship Team Lead, founder of the University of Mississippi Tassels Chapter Endowment, and a loyal donor, Jan has invested her time, talents, and resources to ensure the organization’s long-term strength and sustainability. She also played a pivotal role in chartering the Mortar Board chapter at Jackson State University and served as a community advisor, expanding opportunities for future generations of student leaders.
Jan’s commitment to Mortar Board mirrors the extraordinary impact she has made throughout her professional and civic life. She has broken barriers as the first woman to chair the University of Mississippi Foundation, served as National President of the University of Mississippi Alumni Association, led major healthcare and philanthropic organizations, championed innovation and entrepreneurship across Mississippi, and dedicated decades of leadership to organizations that improve education, healthcare, the arts, and community life. Her career is a remarkable testament to the power of servant leadership and a lifelong commitment to making a meaningful difference.
Dr. Jane A. Hamblin (Purdue University, 1973)
Dr. Jane A. Hamblin’s connection to Mortar Board spans more than 50 years of continuous service, beginning with her collegiate initiation at Purdue University in 1973 and extending through decades of leadership, mentorship, and advocacy. While Associate Dean of Students at Purdue, Jane served as the senior advisor to the Barbara Cook chapter for 17 years. She guided hundreds of students, strengthened programming, preserved chapter history, and cultivated a culture of scholarship, leadership, and service. Her influence shaped generations of collegiate members, many of whom credit her with opening doors, building confidence, and empowering them to pursue ambitious academic and professional paths.
Jane brought that same commitment to the national organization when she became Mortar Board’s Executive Director in 2009, serving for 12 years before becoming CEO Emerita in 2021. Under her leadership, Mortar Board added five chapters, developed strategic plans, launched an alumni association and the LEAD advisor-training program, embraced new technology and social media, strengthened its messaging and member connections, and increased fundraising. Perhaps her most lasting contribution was her leadership of Mortar Board’s 2018 centennial celebration, a landmark moment that brough together the organization’s history, members, alumni, and leaders to honor a century of scholarship, leadership, and service. Jane helped shape the celebration, advanced a fundraising campaign that generated more than $1 million in endowed funds, and co-authored and edited Mortar Board’s centennial history book. Her tenure reflects a deep commitment to preserving Mortar Board’s rich history, honoring the people and traditions that shaped the Society, and ensuring that its story was captured and celebrated for future generations.
Even after retirement, she has remained deeply involved with Mortar Board, supporting the Purdue chapter, mentoring advisors and students, remaining a loyal donor, leading alumni efforts surrounding Purdue’s centennial celebration, and sustaining member connections. Beyond Mortar Board, Jane has contributed extensively to the broader nonprofit and higher‑education community through her work, particularly with the Association of College Honor Societies, and through collaborations with peer honor societies. Her colleagues consistently describe her as an inclusive, visionary leader who elevates others, brings people and ideas together, and strengthens institutions through service‑centered leadership.
Alumni Achievement Award
The Alumni Achievement Award honors an alumni member who was initiated more than 10 years ago as a collegiate or honorary member and has demonstrated outstanding and long-lasting achievement in their profession and/or notable service to a broad community. Recipients have shown a continuing commitment to the Mortar Board ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service, and are inspirations to other members.
Dr. Maria Carpiac (University of California, Los Angeles, 1996)
As a professor and Director of the Gerontology Program at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), Dr. Carpiac has devoted her career to advancing education, mentorship, scholarship, and opportunities for students of all ages. Particularly passionate about supporting nontraditional and older students, she played a key leadership role in establishing CSULB as an Age-Friendly University and has made a meaningful impact through research focused on aging veterans and emergency preparedness with her research helping to better serve more than 37,000 homebound veterans. Her impact as a mentor is equally significant; former students consistently describe her as an exceptional mentor who creates supportive, empowering learning environments and helps students transform daunting academic and professional challenges into achievable goals.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Carpiac has demonstrated significant leadership and service both at CSULB and within the broader gerontology community. She has mentored faculty, supported colleagues in developing effective service-learning practices, contributed to national teaching resources focused on diversity and inclusion, and held leadership roles with the California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics (CCGG), including serving as President. She currently serves as Vice President of CSULB’s Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and on the governing board of a local hospital. Together, these accomplishments demonstrate a career devoted not only to teaching, but to mentoring, strengthening communities, advancing opportunity, and living out Mortar Board’s ideals.
Katie Smith (The Ohio State University, 1995)
Katie Smith may be best known as a three-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most accomplished and decorated basketball players of all time, but her life and career exemplify Mortar Board’s ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service. The former WNBA star was inducted into both the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and served as co-captain of the USA Women’s Basketball team. Her achievements reflect not only exceptional talent and discipline, but also an ongoing commitment to growth and excellence. Throughout her career, Katie has used her platform to advocate for equity and expand opportunities for women, demonstrating principled leadership that creates access, fosters inclusion, and advances the status of women.
Katie’s impact extends well beyond the basketball court through her deep commitment to community, mentorship, and service. She has contributed to her local Columbus community and nationally through efforts such as helping bring the NCAA Women’s Final Four to Columbus, supporting the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer, mentoring young athletes and students, and maintaining a strong connection to The Ohio State University. As a coach, mentor, and speaker, she encourages others to think critically, lead authentically, and pursue personal and professional growth. While her numerous professional and community honors affirm her remarkable accomplishments, what most distinguishes Katie is the way she uses her success to elevate others—leading with humility and integrity, generously sharing her experience, and consistently creating opportunities for future generations.
Dr. Illya Thomas (Purdue University, 1991)
Dr. Thomas has demonstrated a distinguished career marked by sustained professional achievement, leadership, innovation, and service, while consistently embodying Mortar Board’s ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service. As Vice President for Research and Development at The J.M. Smucker Co., he leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for the Pet Business Strategy, providing scientific and technical guidance, advancing R&D strategy, and driving continuous improvement. Previously, during a 24-year career with Procter & Gamble, he held senior leadership roles including Vice President of Human Resources, and Global R&D Vice President for the Pampers brand, where he led major innovation and product development efforts for the $11 billion global brand. Throughout his corporate career, Dr. Thomas has also championed inclusive leadership, employee resource groups, talent development, and organizational strategy, demonstrating a commitment to developing both people and organizations.
Beyond his corporate accomplishments, Dr. Thomas has made meaningful contributions as an educator, keynote speaker, consultant, and community leader. Through Thomas Consulting LLC, he works with corporations, nonprofits, educational institutions, and spiritual organizations on leadership development, innovation, strategy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. He also served in leadership roles at Crossroads Community Church in Cincinnati, where he helped shape growth and spiritual development strategies and supported a wide range of ministries serving the community. His commitment to Mortar Board extends beyond his collegiate membership, including generously sharing his expertise by facilitating a 2020 Torch Society (then known as MBAA) discussion on resilience. Through his professional accomplishments, community service, mentorship, and continued engagement with Mortar Board, Dr. Thomas serves as an inspiring example of the lasting impact of scholarship, leadership, and service.
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader Award honors an alumni member who is less than 20 years post-initiation and has demonstrated remarkable accomplishment in their profession and/or outstanding community service. Recipients have shown a constant commitment to the ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service, and are role models for other members.
Amanda Duffy (The University of Vermont, 2019)
Since her initiation into Mortar Board at the University of Vermont in 2019, Amanda has exemplified scholarship, leadership, and service through a career dedicated to sustainability, community impact, and ethical business practices. Amanda is a Senior Sustainable Business Account Manager at the Pet Sustainability Coalition, advising more than 80 companies on climate action. She serves as President of Bolder Young Professionals, helping connect and empower emerging leaders, and has held leadership roles with B Local Colorado and the Boulder Chamber Advisory Board. Through these efforts, she continually invests in creating stronger communities and opportunities for others to succeed.
Lee Lenkoff (University of Louisville, 2019)
Initiated into Mortar Board in 2019, Lee has spent the years since building a career, contributing as an educator, and making a meaningful impact in her community, reflecting the highest ideals of Mortar Board. She earned a B.B.A. in Equine Administration, followed by both a J.D. and M.B.A. through the University’s demanding dual-degree program, all while actively engaging in campus and professional organizations. Her career has bridged law and business, including her current role in estate and wealth planning at Cerity Partners. In 2026, she returned to the University of Louisville as a part-time lecturer and mentor to graduate students. As a lifelong Louisvillian, Lee has also demonstrated a strong commitment to her community through involvement with Greater Louisville Inc. and support for local initiatives focused on economic inclusion, equity, and talent retention.
Abigail Spraggins (The University of Akron, 2014)
Abigail has continued to live the ideals of Mortar Board since her initiation at the University of Akron in 2014. She is the founder of Abby’s Helping Hands, Hopeful Hearts, a completely volunteer‑run nonprofit that has supported more than 600 families and homeless teens with essential resources, emergency assistance, and dignity‑centered holiday programs. Inspired by her brother, she has long championed disability inclusion and has also invested deeply in youth development through STEM mentorship, Science Day coordination, and community partnerships. Her service also includes board governance roles with Whole Latte Love Café & Whole CommUNITY, where she has guided strategic planning, fundraising, and inclusion‑focused programming. Across all efforts, her leadership is defined by building sustainable structures, expanding opportunity for overlooked populations, and showing up consistently to meet real community needs—demonstrating a lifelong dedication to service as the foundation of her impact.
Volunteer of the Year Award
The Volunteer of the Year Award honors a dedicated individual who has volunteered their time and talents on behalf of Mortar Board National College Honor Society during the past year. Through their outstanding service, they have advanced the mission of Mortar Board at the national level, exemplifying the society’s values of scholarship, leadership, and service.
Gabrielle Going (Eastern Illinois University, 2016)
Gabby serves as the chair of the Community & Belonging Committee and as a member of the Conference Marketing & Engagement Team. She led the revitalization of the Community & Belonging Toolkit, creating valuable resources for members, while also driving strategic conversations about how the committee can better support and serve collegiate members and chapters throughout the year. She is always thinking about ways to improve the member experience by bringing ideas to the Conference Marketing & Engagement Team to make things easier, better, and more valuable for our students. Gabby is passionate, collaborative, and genuinely committed to making people feel included.
Region Coordinator of the Year Award
The Region Coordinator of the Year Award celebrates a Region Coordinator who goes above and beyond to support chapters and members throughout their region. This exceptional mentor provides guidance, celebrates accomplishments, troubleshoots challenges, and helps chapters and their leaders thrive.
Annie Mascia (University of South Alabama, 2021)
Annie epitomizes Mortar Board’s ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service. A former Mortar Board Fellowship recipient, Annie’s commitment to Mortar Board runs deep, having served as a Region Coordinator since 2022. She is a consistent and trusted resource for chapters throughout Region 2 (South/Southeast). Annie fiercely advocates for, and supports, her chapters. She was selected as a Lead RC, in recognition of her exceptional leadership in mentoring and guiding other Region Coordinators. She is cheerful, confident, and determined, and her enthusiasm is contagious. Annie makes other people want to get involved and contribute by setting an incredible example for involvement and community service.