The Mortar Board honor society wants one student to enjoy a day with Lew Perkins, Kansas athletics director.

The honor society will hold a fundraising campaign called “Learning with Lew” Feb. 16-18. Students will be placed in a drawing for every suggested donation of $1. The Mortar Board will draw the winner on Friday.

Money generated from the fundraiser will go toward a bronze plaque that will recognize winners of the Outstanding Educator Award for years to come, said Jeffrey Robinson, Mortar Board treasurer. The award, which is voted on by the 40-member honor society, recognizes teachers who have impacted the senior class, Robinson said. Approximately five educators will be selected this year. Future winners will added to the plaque each year.

Mortar Board students requested Lew Perkins because of his recent prominence in the news. They thought students would be interested in a behind-the-scenes look at intercollegiate sports at the University of Kansas, Robinson said.

Robinson said that Perkins’ willingness to participate in the campaign showed he was concerned about the University of Kansas community. “A lot of people think he only cares about sports, but he really does care about academics,” Robinson said.

The plaque, which will cost between $1,000 and $2,000, will be placed in the Kansas Union.

“We just wanted to make a more permanent recognition with an ultimate purpose,” Robinson, Garnett senior, said.

The Mortar Board, which began in 1918, is a national honor society for college seniors who excel in ability and achievement in scholarship, leadership and service, according to the KU Mortar Board Web site.

It was the first national honor society to honor senior women at universities. Men were not admitted until 1975, but it maintained its commitment to honoring the status of women, the Web site says. The honor society at the University began in 1912, but was not incorporated into the national Mortar Board until 1924.

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Donate $1 to win a day with Lew perkins

Tomorrow

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wescoe Beach

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kansas Union 4th floor

Thursday

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wescoe Beach

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kansas Union 4th floor

4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. E’s

4:30 to 7:30 p.m.at Oliver Hall Dining Center

Friday

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wescoe Beach

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kansas Union 4th floor

Source: Jeffrey Robinson, Mortar Board treasurer