Golden Key members go on to have success in a variety of industries and disciplines. Andrew Martin is a filmmaker who has started his own production company. His passion for animation is evident through the success of his debut film, Gus. Andrew directed, wrote and […]
As of 1 April, chapters have dedicated 12,872 hours, touched the lives of 9,176 people and raised $2,368.51 towards SPARK a Change since its launch in July 2014. These collective actions are impacting the lives of youth around the globe! (Chapter leaders, please remember to record your […]
—This post was written by Ashley Brinkman, vice president of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh chapter of Golden Key, and Allie Fowee, an officer of the Eastern Kentucky University chapter—
The Region 5 Summit was held in Chicago, Illinois from March 13-15, 2015. It took place in the beautiful Embassy Suites hotel, which was located right in downtown Chicago. After everyone settled in on Friday, we met in the banquet hall for the opening session. The night was filled with welcoming attendees, popular cheers from each university, and a t-shirt exchange. After meeting other chapters, participating in ice-breakers, and receiving information about the city, we were ready to unlock our potential the next day. No one left the welcoming ceremony without a new friend!
On Saturday, we woke up and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast provided by the hotel. Once our stomachs were filled and we had our caffeine fix for the morning we were motivated and ready to learn through the different workshops that were provided. Each individual was able to choose workshops to attend during each of the four sessions. Workshops allowed individuals to learn and collaborate with others. Through the workshops we bounced ideas and helpful tips off of one another to bring back to our individual chapters. The speakers in these workshops were extremely helpful in providing great information on topics anywhere from stress management to professional development. “Regardless of which workshop you participated in, your personal and professional development were sure to be enhanced. As the Social Director of my chapter, I attended the web-based workshops. We covered everything from ePortfolios to Facebook!” Allie said.
Once the workshops came to an end, we enjoyed some leisure time to explore the city. Some of us relaxed by having a nice lunch next to the Chicago River (which was dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day!), while others walked and shopped on the Magnificent Mile.
Reconvening later that night as a large group, we enjoyed a Chicago style dinner, fancy dessert and listened to an inspiring speech by keynote speaker, Adam Cox. 
Adam is passionate in human development and in helping others to set and accomplish their individual goals and visions. He is a visionary who believes in “embracing the journey rather than focusing on the destination.”
For our final activity, we divided up into groups to share our Golden Key experiences with one another. After exchanging contact information with our new friends, we said our goodbyes and left the summit ready to bring our new knowledge and inspiration back to our individual chapters. Overall, the Regional Summit was an incredible and strengthening experience!
“Although my university is not a part of Region 5, I felt more than welcome at the 2015 Chicago Regional Summit, and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to attend!” Allie said.
“I left this event with motivation to further accomplishments not only in our Golden Key chapter but also in my personal future and professional career,” Ashley said.
—This post was written by Billy Gurr, the Golden Key Council of Student Members representative for US Region 6 and a chapter president at Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Kellie Rollins, the Golden Key Council of Student Members representative for US Region 8 and officer […]
We are excited to welcome a new Associate Director to the Golden Key team! Our Associate Directors are the liason between headquarters and the chapters on campus. Britt Kastner is the new Associate Director for US Region 3. Get to know her better with this […]
Sharon Drye, a graduate student member from the University of South Alabama, got a big surprise when she found out she was one of the recipients of Golden Key’s 2014 Education Debt Reduction Award for $5,000. Last month, she got an even bigger surprise… GEICO was doubling her scholarship amount and she was getting an extra $5,000 toward the repayment of her student loans!
Let’s go back to 2010, when Sharon decided to make a big change in her life.
After working for twenty-six years in the architecture industry, Sharon lost her job. This instance combined with some personal obstacles during the same time, led Sharon to make a change. Having never earned her bachelor’s degree, she decided to go back to school to further her interest in the health field and have better job security in the future. She enrolled in Middle Tennessee State University and eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with minors in behavioral neuroscience and communication disorders.
Next Sharon enrolled in graduate school at the University of South Alabama where she is currently pursuing a degree in audiology. Sharon has a passion for helping people and found a field that she can make a difference in. With her excellent grades, Sharon was invited to join Golden Key last summer. She was excited to join as she strongly relates to Golden Key’s three pillars of academics, leadership and service, and she was very excited for professional development opportunities through Golden Key. “My membership in this organization has empowered me to remain actively committed and further shaped my professional future,” Sharon told us.
While working to obtain her education, Sharon was met with financial struggles. In addition to taking out her own student loans for her undergraduate degree at Middle Tennessee, she had to defer a loan previously taken to pay for her daughter’s first year of college. As a full time student, she had drawn from her retirement to meet her living expenses and after a few years, it was completely exhausted. When she started at the University of South Alabama, she again had to take out money—this time for out-of-state tuition. She worked nights and weekends to hold her over, but her financial situation remained difficult. Through it all, however, Sharon remained determined to finish her degree and to become involved on campus and in the community.
Sharon has a part time job working between two hospitals where she tests babies for hearing loss. She is also a member of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Student Academy of Audiology, where she serves her community with several events, such as volunteering in preparation for the 2012 NSSLHA Conference, the Special Kids Race and Christmas Tree Decorating at the Community Care of Rutherford County. As an undergraduate at Middle Tennessee State University, she was also involved in local community hearing screenings for children and educating others about hearing loss at university health fairs. Through her course work and clinical experiences at graduate school, she is conducting diagnostic hearing and vestibular assessments and learning how to manage those impairments.
Once she found out that she was a Golden Key scholarship winner, Sharon was thrilled! “I didn’t know how I was going to finish what I started,” she said. “This scholarship blessed me so much.” Sharon plans to finish her degree in audiology and her externship by May of 2017 and hopes to work for an ENT where she can serve adults with hearing and balance disorders. It is important to Sharon to one-day give back to others who are hoping to do what she is doing—going back to school to further their dreams.
“Words cannot express the depth of gratitude I have to Golden Key International Honour Society and GEICO for recognizing my academic achievement and investing in my education by awarding me with a 2014 Education Debt Reduction Scholarship,” Sharon said. “The decision to return to school as a non-traditional student has certainly come with its share of sacrifices and financial struggles as there are so many other obligations acquired by this point in life. Higher education can be one of life’s long and costly journeys, but this monetary award has greatly alleviated the financial burden associated therein.”
Congratulations, Sharon from all of us at Golden Key HQ!
—This post was written by Jordan Yeo, co-president of the Simon Fraser University chapter— This year, Golden Key’s Canadian Regional Summit (or CANCON) was held from February 27 to March 1 at the Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel in the heart of beautiful downtown Vancouver, BC. Nearly […]
We’re all influenced by our parents to some degree, but Golden Key member from Monash University, Linny Kimly Phuong, has been inspired by her parents more than most. Her Vietnamese parents came to Australia in the 70’s as part of the United Nations Humanitarian Entry […]
—This post was written by Amanda Wilson, Stephanie Matro and Krystle Gladu, the chapter advisors at American Public University System —
The Golden Key Summit kicked off with the opening session. The keynote speaker was Anita Miller who’s a Golden Key Board Member and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Anita gave a motivational and uplifting speech. Golden Key Executive Director Brad Rainey shared updates from headquarters and recapped 2014 with the accomplishments of each region. The first night ended with tours of downtown D.C. and the Advisor Reception.
The daily session line-up included student- and advisor-led presentations, as well as business sessions with Golden Key Headquarters. Chapter members buzzed around, talking with others and learning new methods for supporting the mission of the organization.
The SPARK a Change service event Saturday afternoon provided an opportunity for Summit attendees to donate magazines to Magazines for Literacy. Magazines were bundled for donation to homeless shelters, domestic violence victims and youth in early education, after school programs and mentoring programs. Members also created anti-bullying posters and bookmarks for local D.C. elementary schools.
Saturday evening’s formal dinner and closing session included guest speaker Jen Croneberger, author of These Five Words Are Mine. Jen enthusiastically spoke about overcoming obstacles, and using determination to propel you forward in life. Jen’s story was inspiring and full of laughs!
Saturday ended in style with dancing and music, provided by local DJ Floyd Minor.
Throughout the weekend, chapters met with their Headquarters representative, the Associate Director or AD (Hamiyda Scipio, Tricia Forbes or Melissa Decell were present) and discussed their progress and goals.
As of 1 March, chapters have dedicated 10,624 hours, touched the lives of 7,929 people and raised $2,208.51 towards SPARK a Change since its launch in July 2014. These collective actions are impacting the lives of youth around the globe! (Chapter leaders, please remember to […]
GK SCHOLARSHIPS: Ather Sharif
GK Scholarships: Logan Thornton