Vancouver GK Chapter Presents: 2012 Canadian Regional Summit
The SFU and UBC Golden Key chapters are proud to host the 2012 Golden Key Canadian Regional Summit. This private academic conference, held at the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue from February 3rd to 5th, is hosted annually for Golden Key members who study at some of the best post-secondary schools throughout Canada. Featuring 14 special guests and speakers, this conference will allow students the opportunity to learn from industry experts and to network with other members.
Workshops and interactive sessions will be hosted on a variety of topics from 14 panellists who have diverse backgrounds—including expertise in scientific research, social media and public relations, business, community involvement, and technology. This years Summit will feature keynote speaker Brian Wong, a UBC alumni, who was recently lauded in Mashable as one of “The Top 5 Young Entrepreneurs to Watch.”
Since 1977, the Golden Key International Honour Society has supported scholastic achievement and excellence among university students from all academic disciplines. Students accepted into the honours society demonstrate exceptional achievement in academics, leadership and community, and are given access to exclusive scholarships, career advancement and graduate programs. The Golden Key has over 400 chapters throughout the world and two million members; annual conferences allow members to unite and build a stronger Golden Key community.
“The goal of this conference”, says Loren Aytona, Marketing and Communications Director for the conference, “will be to build upon the relationships formed at last year’s conference and to foster an engaged Golden Key community.”
From all across Canada, Golden Key members will travel to Vancouver to attend this weekend conference and represent their universities. Members can register for this event by visiting the official 2012 Canadian Conference website at www.gkcancon.com.
For further details, contact: Stephanie Snowden, Conference Public Relations Coordinator. Email ssnowden@sfu.ca.
Please visit http://gkcancon.com for more information on the conference, workshop topics, and a complete speaker list. Additional information about the Golden Key International Honour Society can be found by visiting http://www.goldenkey.org.
University of Florida’s Glenn Butler Wins GK’s 2011 International Advisor of the Year
All Golden Key Regional Advisor Award winners are nominated for the International Advisor of the Year Award, but only one outstanding chapter advisor is selected to receive this honor for the academic year. Bulter, a professor at The University of Florida, was selected from an outstanding pool of eligible advisors and received a $2,000 USD award.
Butler states, “All of the GK advisors, many of whom I have worked with many years, all deserve recognition because of their endless hours of volunteer work for Golden Key. The Golden Key Chapters just keep getting better and better every year and I want to congratulate all of the advisors and members for their excellent work and the many hundreds of hours of community service. Golden Key has been an enjoyable and rewarding part of my life for several years. I have developed many life-time friends who continue to bless my life.”
“It is an honor to present Dr. Butler with the International Advisor of the Year Award,” said Brad Rainey, Golden Key Executive Director. “Our advisors are inspired and motivated not only to achieve exceptional accomplishments, but also to make a positive impact on our world through the Society’s commitment to service.”
SUNY Fredonia Student Wins GK’s 2011 International Student Leader of the Year Award
Golden Key International Honour Society recently selected Zhuojun Fu as the winner of the 2011 International Student Leader of the Year Award. Golden Key annually awards over $1,000,000 in scholarships and awards.
All Golden Key Regional Student Leader Award winners are nominated for the International Student Leader of the Year Award, but only one outstanding students is selected to receive this honor for the academic year. Fu, a student at State University of New York at Fredonia, was selected from an outstanding pool of eligible students and received a $2,000 USD award.
Fu states, “All of my hard work was rewarded by winning this award. I appreciate that Golden Key offers me, an international student from Shanghai, China, great opportunities to implement leadership theories into practice. They have allowed me to achieve many things that I would not have been able to otherwise. So thank you once again. I am extremely grateful. Currently, I am an active member of PRSSA (the Public Relations Student Society of America) and in the past three years, I was chosen as one of the SUNY Fredonia President’s International Scholar Award recipients. After graduation from college in May 2012, I am planning to further my studies in the International and Public Affairs field.”
“It is an honor to present Zhuojun with the International Student Leader of the Year Award,” said Brad Rainey, Golden Key Executive Director. “Our members are inspired and motivated not only to achieve exceptional academic accomplishments, but also to make a positive impact on our world through the Society’s commitment to service.”
Golden Key recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement and excellence among college and university students from all academic disciplines. The Society provides campus and community service opportunities that enable personal growth and leadership development, as well as collaborating with university faculty and administrators to develop and maintain high standards of education.
Golden Key Member Named Rhodes Scholar for 2012
Senior biophysics major and Golden Key member, Brandon Turner, was recently named one of the 32 American Rhodes Scholars for 2012. He was selected from a pool of 803 candidates who had been nominated by their colleges/universities. Rhodes Scholarships provide all expenses for two or three years of study at the University of Oxford in England.
Turner attends Wake Forest University and is also minoring in society and chemistry. Brandon has won awards and scholarships for his work in physics, has directed volunteers for a homeless shelter and is a rugby player who was selected for state and southern US all-star teams. He served as director of a program in Cameroon that built school computer labs, and trained Cameroonian children in basic computer skills. Brandon plans to do the M.Sc. in global health at Oxford.
Stony Brook Chapter Launches New Program in Collaboration with the Stony Brook International Students Organization
This semester, the 
Stony Brook Chapter of Golden Key initiated a new program in collaboration with the Stony Brook International Students Organization named “English Pal.” The program is designed to pair International students with native-speakers in order to provide an opportunity for them to practice conversational English. The pairs meet for 30 minutes a week to discuss everything from history and science to current events and gossip. In addition to practicing English, this program helps the International students become familiar with the American culture and common idioms as well as enlightening American students to the world outside their borders. The program has been meet with enthusiasm on all sides and looks to have a bright future at Stony Brook!
by Julie Heflin
If a person truly enjoys what they do – people take notice.
“I feel blessed every day I come to work because I love my job,” said Heather Mitchell, MSN, RN, assistant professor, School of Nursing.
For all but one of the last ten semesters, each graduating undergraduate class has voted for Mitchell as their favorite teacher – earning her the school’s “Outstanding BSN Faculty Award”
for nine semesters. The award is given during each spring, summer and fall convocation.
Students vote based on several criteria: generosity in outlook, breadth and variety in teaching, inspiration, currency, ethics, forethought, flexibility and motivation for professional development.
“What makes Heather so great is her humility and talent in being direct, down to earth and approachable – students obviously respect her,” said Marcia Hern, EdD, CNS, RN, dean and professor, UofL School of Nursing.
Emily Wright is a May 2011 nursing school graduate. She credits Mitchell for her success as a new nurse at a local hospital.
“During my years at UofL, Ms. Mitchell was not only my educator and advocate, but also a kind confidant in whom I could always find reassurance,” Wright said. “Her lectures were interactive and engaging, full of real world experiences and up to date with current nursing practices. The University of Louisville should be honored to employ such a passionate educator.”
Mitchell says she works hard to help students understand how to translate their education into the workforce.
“Students know I hold them to a high standard,” she said. “I want to be the person students can role model their nursing practice.”
Mitchell knows something about working as a nurse. She was a hospital nurse for six years before she decided to begin her teaching career at UofL.
“There was a limited amount of people I could help in the hospital, and I realized teaching would allow me to reach a countless number through the future careers of these students,” Mitchell said. “I felt my teaching contribution could also help improve the profession.”
Mitchell has been on faculty at the School of Nursing since 2006 and this year earned the Certificate in Health Professions Education, a program designed to further develop effective teaching strategies in the health sciences.
Golden Key International Honour Society Held its 5th National Annual Creative Writing Contest in Collaboration with ING DIRECT
Creative Writing Contest in collaboration with ING DIRECT. Participants
in this Creative Writing Contest, aimed at Grade 7 to 9 high school
students, created many wonderful and genuinely original stories, and
should all be proud of their contributions. The Top 3 winners were
awarded with bursaries in the amounts of $1000, $500 and $300 courtesy
of ING DIRECT. They were: Neela Narsih who wrote “Spring”, Edward Peluso
with “The Lost Opportunity,” and Shelby Woodall’s “Hero.” They were
all inspiring stories about respect, diversity and integrity.
Golden Key and ING DIRECT share a mutual desire to encourage children
to accomplish great things, whether through education or developing
creativity and imagination. Golden Key’s mission is to enable members
to realize their potential by connecting individuals, recognizing
achievement and providing lifelong opportunity.
“ING DIRECT is once again a very proud supporter of Golden Key International Honour
Society. We share their commitment to helping children reach their full
potential, and we are proud to encourage this personal challenge to
young writers across Canada. We wish all participants much success as
they continue to pursue their personal, creative and academic goals.”
said Marianne Tadros, ING DIRECT Spokesperson
In 2012, Golden Key will once again be holding our National Creative Writing Contest in partnership with ING DIRECT.
This contest was initiated at a local Golden Key Concordia chapter along
with ING DIRECT collaboration and has become an annual success since its
inception. The purpose of the contest is to encourage participation,
creativity, and achievement among young high school students.
The Creative Writing Contest is intended for Grade 7 to 9 high school
students across Canada. Submissions must be short stories of 300 to 700
words that use as a theme one of the Golden Key values: integrity,
collaboration, innovation, respect, diversity, excellence or
engagement.
Each submission must clearly indicate the student’s full name, school, English teacher, and email address.
The top 3 national winners will receive ING DIRECT bursaries in the amounts of $1000, $500 and $300.
Entries will be judged according to the
following criteria: grammar/vocabulary, overall creativity, plot,
character, and adherence to one of the themes.
All entries must be submitted to the students’ English teacher by March 1, 2012. The local Golden Key chapter will review the entries. All winners will be notified by email.
For more information or if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at isankey@goldenkey.org.
Golden Key Set To Launch Over 300 Chapter Websites In September
Golden Key is excited to announce the September launch of over 300 chapter websites for the US and Canadian chapters. Golden Key partnered with Group Interactive Networks (GIN) on both the chapter website project and the addition of Facebook fan page welcome tabs, which launched this month as well. Read more on the year-long project.
APU/AMU Chapter Service Event
The American Military University and American Public University chapters held a day of service June 17 at Crescent Ridge Adult Day Health Care Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland. To kick off AMU and APU’s annual commencement weekend, the online chapters welcomed students and alumni from all over the world, joining hands in a Landscape Revitalization Project and a Bingo Social.
Miss SC State Recognized in Ebony Magazine
Ashley N. Graham, Miss SC State 2010-2011 and a Golden Key International Honour Society member, will be recognized in the September 2011 HBCU Queens edition of Ebony magazine.
