KINGSTON, R.I. –July 14, 2008—The University of Rhode Island’s Chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society has been notified that it has achieved the “Gold Standard,” or top level, for its leadership and service efforts. Last year the chapter’s standing was “Good Standing.” This year, the University leaped past the Bronze and Silver standards.
Established in 1977, Golden Key, the first and largest global academic honor society, recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement and excellence among college and university students from all academic disciplines. Membership is by invitation only, to the top 15 percent of college/university sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and top performing graduate students. The organization values integrity, collaboration, innovation, respect, diversity, excellence, and engagement.
“A thorough review of your activities and reports for the 2007-08 school year reveals exemplary scholarship and service initiatives at your university,” emailed Chauncy D. Prentiss, associate director for U.S. University Relations, Golden Key International Honour Society. “Congratulations on this momentous milestone in your chapter’s history. I extend my sincere appreciation for your commitment, communication and concern for the chapter.”
“Our recognition as a “Gold Standard” chapter is due completely to Rebecca Harlow’s hard work and dedication,” notes Donald Cunnigen, professor of sociology and faculty advisor to URI’s Golden Key chapter. “Her service work with the Relay for Life Cancer campaign fundraiser, the Better World Book Drive, the chapter’s donation to URI’s Honors Program’s “China Rising” Colloquium Series and the collaborative donation with Phi Kappa Phi to Katrina relief were nothing short of exemplary. In addition, she organized social events to spread the word about Golden Key on campus such as a movie night and roller skating party.”
Harlow acknowledges that it was often challenging balancing her full-time studies and two jobs with her duties first as treasurer and then as president of Golden Key. The Exeter resident handled the workload by setting time aside each week to organize activities with other leaders via email.
“I have a lot of experience in office productivity software since I was an information systems major which helped me a great deal. I was able to communicate with members through many mediums by using the information resources around me. Making the URI chapter of Golden Key a gold status chapter was a priority of mine since I attended a Golden Key conference last summer. It was an inspiring experience and it showed me the value of having an active and well-rounded chapter.
“Golden Key provides ample benefits to all its members. These include, scholarships, discounts, access to exclusive job opportunities and leadership experience that lasts a lifetime. It was my mission as president to get as many people I could to hear the name Golden Key and associate it with fun activities and rewarding experiences,” says Harlow who graduated this May and is currently a field application engineer with CORE Business Technologies, an information technologies firm in East Providence.
URI 2008 graduate Rebecca Harlow and Sociology Professor Donald Cunnigen.
URI Department of Communications & Marketing photo by Michael Salerno Photography