In 1924, the Mortar Board adopted the practice of allowing a maximum of 25 members. Some of the functions of the Mortar Board on campus were the scholarship tea, Founder’s Day luncheon, and a Mortar Board ball (a vice versa party).

Each year Mortar Board sponsored Ivy Day festivities as well, which were the most prominent activity of the Mortar Board year. At this time from five to 20 outstanding junior women were “tapped” for membership. The Black Masque method of choosing new members was unique. The outgoing Mortar Board parade was performed among university students, who were seated around the May Queen’s throne, in order to locate their successors. One by one each girl was taken by surprise when the black mask was placed over her eyes. After the tapping was completed and the Ivy Day ceremony was over, the new members and their mothers were honored at a banquet.

 

Ivy Day proceedings were greatly influenced by World War I. In 1918 a large flag of 1,403 stars was presented to the school in honor of University men in the armed services.

In 1919, a banner with 91 stars, honoring men and a nurse who gave their lives in World War I, was presented to the University. Ivy from doughboys in France was planted both then in 1918 and the next year. It was sent back to this country from two University students serving in the U.S. Army.

The Lord of May was presented the year the war was over, in 1919. The idea that the Queen has a Lord became a reality, but proved unsatisfactory so the Queen returned as the sole ruler of the Ivy Day Court the next year.