By Michelle Gilbert
Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison, APUS

The AMU and APU Chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society received the Key Chapter award this year during the Golden Key Leadership Summit in Houston, Texas. The Key Chapter Award is one of Golden Key’s most esteemed honors and is received from the national office.

Chapter Advisor Krystle Gladu said, “The Key Chapter Award recognizes chapters who exemplify outstanding achievement and contributions in the areas of Golden Key’s three pillars of Academics, Leadership and Service. Less than 25% of chapters across the world are awarded the recognition of this award, and our chapter has been recognized for the past three years.”

What Is the Golden Key International Honour Society?

The Golden Key International Honour Society is a nonprofit organization and the world’s largest collegiate honor society. Membership in the society is extended to the top 15% of college and university sophomores, juniors, and seniors and to top-performing graduate students in all areas of study.

The AMU and APU Chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society goes above and beyond year after year to keep their members engaged and active within the group, the University and their communities. Chapter Advisor Sam Reamer commented, “I am so proud of the Golden Key Chapter and leadership group at American Public University System and the amount of time and effort they put into serving the university and their local communities. This group is truly dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact that will be felt for years to come.”

Each year, this organization host numerous events that not only make an impact on the university community but also within the respective members’ communities. For example, chapter members have participated in activities to support military personnel and veterans.

Through a partnership with Maryland’s Operation Welcome Home, members put together care packages for active-duty military personnel returning from deployment. They volunteered with the organization to distribute the packages and welcomed the soldiers home at BWI Airport. They’ve also participated in Wreaths Across America in their local communities and honored those who have fallen in battle by placing over 1,000 wreaths on their graves.

Golden Key Has Received Gold Standing in Chapter Standards Program for Seven Years

Since 2013, this Golden Key Chapter has achieved Gold Standing in the AMU/APU University Chapter Standards Program on a yearly basis. Chapter Advisor Natalie Hardy said, “Our officer board has done an amazing job this year in motivating each other and all of our members. They continue to come up with creative ideas to benefit their local communities and APU/AMU communities. They are true leaders and the award was well deserved. I’m very proud of our chapter!”

The AMU and APU Chapter of Golden Key International Honour Society sends invitations to join the organization in February and August each year. For questions about Golden Key or your eligibility to join it, contact studentaffairs@apus.edu.

About the Author

Michelle Gilbert has been with American Public University System since 2010 and joined the Office of Student and Alumni Affairs in 2013. Michelle works closely with student organization management, primarily focusing on the Chapter Standards Program. She builds relationships with students, alumni and university leaders to oversee co-curricular programs. Michelle received her bachelor’s in public relations from Heidelberg University in 2008 and her master of arts in management from American Public University in 2014.