LC Meridian

Issue date: 3/1/10 Section: News

Golden Key International Honour Society has been Lehman's only honor society chapter since 1986, yet students have many reservations about participating. The number of total members in comparison to the actual amount of member activity is severely disproportionate. The Lehman Chapter has approximately 4,000 members on campus, and less than one-fourth of its members partake in the chapter's yearly activities. Members of the Golden Key Honour Society are comprised of both students and faculty, and extend from undergraduates to graduates nationwide; members include President Bill Clinton and Bill Cosby who joined their college chapters.

"Honestly, I don't really know what is going on with Golden Key, the officers, or any of the events. I just don't have much communication with the chapter. I would like more communication from the chapter's officers about ongoing events and meetings because I would like to be a more active member," said senior nursing student, Martin LaVille.

Golden Key is a non-profit organization based in Georgia. The society has a myriad number of national and international chapters. The Lehman chapter sends out annual invitations to students whose cumulative GPA is 3.5 or higher. Invitations are usually sent out in the fall and students are inducted into the society during the month of November. Before being inducted there is a membership fee of $80. The chapter's last induction ceremony was held on November 17, 2009, in the Music Building's East Dining Hall and Faculty Dining Hall. In a message to the new members, the chapter's President, Kewe Mbengue, and Vice President, Jean Romulus, urged members to particiapte, however, members are still reluctant to take part in any recent meetings or activities.

"The first time I attended a meeting was when I was initially inducted into the society," said Samuel Dominguez, a senior at Lehman College. "I joined to receive benefits, such as scholarships and networking opportunities, but unfortunately I have yet to receive any."

Members have different reasons for joining the society. Other than it looking good on a resume, there are quite a few benefits of being a member. "I have been offered numerous benefits and opportunities such as traveling abroad, and rewards, which I use to buy merchandise. It saved me some money," said LaVille. Members not only receive various scholarships, internships and scholastic opportunities, but they also receive exclusive discounts, rewards, and the opportunity to network with multiple hiring companies. Although membership allows for great rewards, the overall mission of the society is to involve its members in contributing to local and international communities.

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