GMU Golden Key chapter receives Golden Chapter award

Mason's chapter of the Golden Key Society has received the Golden Chapter award (photo courtesy of Golden Key Society)

In June 2012, the George Mason University chapter of the Golden Key International Honor Society was awarded the highest status available to chapters of the society.

“When a chapter is a Gold Chapter they are becoming leaders on campus and servicing their community on above average standards,” said Traci Gordon, associate director of U.S. university relations for the organization. According to Gordon, in order to achieve Gold status, a chapter has to excel in the three Golden Key pillars: academics, leadership and service.

The Golden Key society is the largest international honor society with over 400 chapters around the globe, according to their website. Mason's chapter was created in 1988 and has since gained numerous awards.

“Receiving Gold level is very important to our chapter,” Kelly Purdie, director of programing for Mason’s chapter, said in an email. “This award shows that the GK headquarters recognizes the work that we have done for the year and deemed us at top level.”

“To reach this standing, Golden Key provides numerous opportunities and events for its members promoting leadership, education and service,” explained Ricky Tran and Annie Tran, president and senior vice president of the chapter, “meaning that GMU is increasing in the number of students who have the potential to become leaders and provide service to the community.”

In addition to Gold status, Mason's chapter has also been awarded the Key Chapter Award for Outstanding Achievement Chapter. According to Ricky Tran and Annie Tran, this is “the highest honor a chapter can earn.”

“This [Key Chapter Award for Outstanding Achievement Chapter] is definitely an honor to George Mason because out of the 400 Golden Key chapters all over the world, only 20 chapters received this highest honor,” said Ricky Tran and Annie Tran.

According to Director of Finance, Que Le, trying to run the society was “extremely difficult” when the former Golden Key advisor left. With the help of new advisors and new president Ricky Tran, Le said that members “were able to surpass the challenges and learn how to manage and operate as a club.”
Le describes Ricky Tran as a key player in their accomplishments as a chapter.

“[Tran] guided us through the difficulties and made us see that what may seem impossible at first can always be accomplished through self-confidence and the belief that one can do anything,” Le said.

Mason’s chapter of the society will hold a new member recognition ceremony on Nov. 17.