Mortar Board is a national honorary and service organization for university seniors. The society was originally formed in 1918, expressly for women. The Quo Vadis Chapter at the University of North Dakota was organized in 1922, and officially became a part of the national organization in October 1932. In 1976, men were first allowed into the Mortar Board society.

The purpose of the Mortar Board society is six-fold: to promote college loyalty, to advance the spirit of service and fellowship among university students, to maintain a high level of scholarship, to recognize and encourage leadership, to stimulate and develop a finer type of college student, and to provide for cooperation between societies.

Mortar Board is known for its community service projects, especially its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Basket Drive. The society also conducts an annual Spring service campaign.