Student leaders from UNLV's Golden Key International Honour Society received special recognition at the Golden Key International Convention held recently in Dallas.
Membership in the nonprofit academic honors and service organization consists of the top 15 percent of juniors and seniors based on grade point average from the United States, Canada, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
The UNLV chapter, which had been advised by Dr. Terry Piper for five years before his departure from the university this spring, received the "honorable mention key chapter" award - one of the top honors that a chapter can receive. Only 60 out of the more than 300 eligible chapters receive recognition at this level or higher. The criteria for the award includes community service, chapter activities, honorary member outreach, induction ceremonies, membership drive, regional and international involvement, and a yearbook that documents these standards.
"In order to win an honorable mention award a chapter must have met or excelled at these Golden Key standards and we have a group of very enthusiastic students who can be credited with this success," said Darin Hollingsworth, director of development for the College of Business. He co-advises the UNLV chapter with professor Esther Langston, director of the School of Social Work.
Langston said that students involved in the organization represent the top academic students in all fields of undergraduate study, both full and part-time, including psychology, nursing, communications, and business.
The officers of the UNLV chapter are Amanda Haboush, president; Corey Ingalise, vice president for campus awareness; Lisa Dzierbicki, vice president of community service; William Sykes, vice president of social activities; Ipuna Estavillo, treasurer; Rachel Franco, secretary; and Irma Corral, historian.
More than 1,200 UNLV juniors and seniors will be receiving invitations in the next few weeks to join the local chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society.
An information table will be set up at the Student Organization Fair, which will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Moyer Student Union. In addition, an information meeting is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 10 at the student union. An induction ceremony will be held beginning at 4 p.m. Oct. 21 in the ballroom of the student union.
The UNLV chapter provides members with opportunities to do community service; hear guest speakers; network with honorary members such as faculty, staff, alumni or community leaders; and develop leadership skills. During last semester, members heard a presentation from U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley and participated in the Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) walk. Golden Key members are recognizable at graduation because of the blue and gold honor chord or the Golden Key Medallion, which they wear around their neck.
For more information, students may send an email to goldkey@unlv.nevada.edu.
