The Delta Alpha Chapter of Mortar Board at UMKC is one of the nearly 200 national chapters of this senior honor society. Juniors are annually selected for membership on the basis of scholarship, leadership and campus and community service. UMKC's Mortar Board chapter, installed in 1973, emphasizes University service. Omicron Delta Kappa is a national leadership honor society of students and faculty members, with chapters on more than 200 college campuses throughout the country. The society recognizes and encourages the achievement of superior scholarship and leadership.
Membership is granted on the basis of merit.
Once achieved, it becomes as much an obligation and responsibility in citizenship as it is a mark of highest distinction and honor. In addition to the prestige that accompanies membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, all members are expected to engage cooperatively in effective leadership and services for the good of the institution and the community. Phi Kappa Phi , founded in 1897, was the first national honor society to recognize superior scholarship in all fields of study and to take into membership the highest-ranking student from all branches of learning. UMKC's chapter was constituted and installed with 16 faculty members on March 28, 1969. The national honor society replaced Torch and Scroll, the scholastic honorary which had served the University of Kansas City and then the University of Missouri-Kansas City.