The Golden Key International Honor Society, an active organization at UMass Boston, has begun the volunteer work they will do this year in the surrounding community. Golden Key, which offers lifetime membership to the top 15 percent of juniors and seniors academically, is often seen as a “stamp of academic excellence.” The organization opens up scholarship and employment opportunities to members, and gives them a sense of student life at UMB.
Anita Miller, faculty advisor of the Honor Society, stated, “The hallmark of Golden Key is to recognize academic excellence and promote giving something back to the community through volunteering.”
Last year was a successful year for Golden Key. One of the most successful events was a voter registration drive, which resulted in over 800 UMB students registering to vote. Members also sponsored the clothing drive for the Pine Street Inn homeless shelter, assisted in the October 2000 Presidential Debate hosted by UMB, and participated in Earth Day and Good Neighbor Day.
In August, the UMB chapter’s hard work was rewarded when they received the 2001 Key Chapter Award at the annual International Golden Key Honor Society Convention in Dallas, Tex. This prestigious award “recognizes exemplary service and outstanding achievement of the chapter.”
The UMB chapter is up to the challenge of repeating last year’s success. On Sept. 23, they raised support for and sponsored the Lupus Walk along the Charles River and hosted a “regional roundtable” to discuss what other chapters are doing. Golden Key is also planning other events to take place this year, some of which may pertain to the recent tragedy in New York City and Washington, D.C.
On a commuter campus where students often feel isolated from each other, Golden Key “fosters a sense of community at the university.” Ties with fellow members, other chapters in the region, and other student organizations at UMB give members a support structure and sense of community.
Golden Key International Honor Society events and meetings are open to all students, whether or not they are members. The next meeting will be held on Oct. 17 at 3 pm in the student lounge on the fourth floor of Wheatley. For more information about this meeting or how to become involved with the honor society, contact Anita Miller at [email protected].