The University of Memphis chapter of the Golden KeyInternational Honour Society ranked among the top 25 of 335worldwide chapters and was awarded the Key Chapter Award at thesociety's international convention this year.
"Each chapter follows a set of standards such as campusawareness and service activities," said Senior PresidentChristopher Robbins, a 22-year-old education graduate student. "Wethen compile a yearbook and send it. The award is based on a pointsystem of fulfilling all standards."
The Golden Key has had a chapter at The University for 25 years.It recognizes the top 15 percent juniors and seniors academically.Members this year attended the convention in Chicago from July 31to Aug. 1, where they were given the award.
"Golden Key gives students leadership, social, and serviceopportunities," Robbins said.
Organization members also volunteer at the Child Advocacy Centerand Southern Baptist Children's Home.
"The Golden Key is a lot of fun," Robbins said. "Students shouldbe involved in at least one organization where they have theopportunity to improve themselves by giving back to their campusand their community."
But Robbins says one of the most important things the societydoes is help students network.
"The international organization has corporate sponsors, andthrough them Golden Key can give a student a better chance atfinding a job within that company," he said.
One accounting major and member of the society got to experiencethis first-hand at the convention.
"At the convention's career exposition I got to meet manypotential employers from corporations like Boeing and Ford as wellas many representatives from graduate schools," said Jun Yao, a22-year-old senior.
Torrence McKnight, assistant director of financial aid, has beenthe organization's advisor since March 2003 and says he's enjoyedworking with the students.
"The students are very bright and have a hard work ethic,"McKnight said. "The organization has much to offer studentspersonally, socially and mentally."
Though he didn't go to the convention himself, McKnight waspleased with the chapter's recognition.
"The students came back very enthused and ready to implementgoals and objectives," he said.
The chapter's former advisor, Patrick Perry, scholarshipcoordinator and National Student Exchange coordinator, wasimpressed at how well the organization did at the convention.
"It's a very prestigious award," Perry said. "I think it'sgreat. They have been working on this for several years."
Desire� Robertson, graduate student advisor, said she wasalso pleased with the conference.
"One thing I enjoyed was the cultural expositions," Robertsonsaid. "It was very enlightening. Chapters from all over the worldcame. It pulled them all together and gave the opportunity forinteraction."
