Alpha Zeta, Illinois Delta Chapter
Eta Sigma Gamma, Omega Chapter
Golden Key International Honour Society
Mortar Board (Red Tassel Chapter)
National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS)
Phi Sigma Biological Honor Society
Departmental Affiliation:
University-wide
Purpose/Description:
The mission of Golden Key, a nonprofit honors organization, is to recognize and encourage scholastic achievement and excellence in all undergraduate fields of study, to partner with faculty and administrators in developing and maintaining high standards of education, to provide economic assistance to outstanding members by means of both undergraduate and graduate scholarships, and to promote altruistic conduct through voluntary service.
Membership Criteria:
Students must be juniors or seniors in the top 15 percent of their class. At ISU, this translates to a 3.4 GPA or higher. Students must also have completed at least 15 hours of coursework at ISU.
Membership Costs:
A one-time initiation fee of $70.
Membership Benefits:
Since Golden Key is a national, interdisciplinary honors group, recognition is one benefit. Similarly, preferential hiring by corporate sponsors (Bank of America, Cisco Systems, Dow Chemical Company, Ford Motor Company, Gateway Computers, General Mills, JobDirect, Lehman Brothers, MBNA America Bank, Merck, Motorola, The New York Times, and Shell) and a comprehensive employment directory are available to members. The local chapter provides multiple leadership opportunities and regional and national leadership conferences for officers. One junior and one senior scholarship are awarded to each chapter at the time of the annual initiation ceremony. There are various scholarships in art, journalism, performing arts, etc., available on a competitive basis nationally.
Advisor Contact Information:
Dr. Jim Johnson
Additional Information:
Local chapter meetings are held approximately monthly. The opportunity for participation in altruistic activities is ongoing. These include a Stuffed Animal Drive for hospitalized children in the local community, the "Golden Keys to the Future" program which is an outreach program for elementary and junior high children in the community, and participation in the Ronald McDonald House charity through collection of aluminum can tabs. There is no requirement for involvement, although some knowledge of chapter activities and programs would be a benefit if preferential hiring based on membership is anticipated.
