2014 Key Chapter Winner Highlight: American Public University System

As an international honor society, Golden Key understands the importance of recognizing excellence both in and out of the classroom. To honor the dedication of our chapters, the Key Chapter Award was instituted to be presented to select chapters across the globe who exemplify outstanding achievement and/or contributions in the areas of the three pillars of Golden Key: academics, leadership and service. This year 23 chapters in North America were presented the Key Chapter Award, and to kick of our blog series, we would like to first highlight the American Public University System chapter!
During the 2013-2014 academic year, the Golden Key chapter at American Public University System participated in a wide array of service and leadership events, one of which was the Los Angeles Beach Clean-Up Event. By partnering with the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots non-profit organization dedication to the conservation of oceans and beaches, Golden Key members, alumni and honorary members came together to clean up the beach and learn more about sustainability. The chapter also hosted the Golden Key Kick-off to Commencement- Networking Banquet, which was a banquet for graduating students who were in town for the university’s annual Commencement Ceremony. This event served as an excellent opportunity for students to network prior to graduating, and it was incredibly successful with a large amount of alumni and honorary members in attendance.
As an online university system, the American Public University System chapter could not participate in Global Youth Service Day like a traditional brick-and-mortar university. Due to chapter members being scattered all over the country, the chapter sought to make a large impact in local communities by encouraging these ‘distance members’ to participate in their own clean-ups and other service projects in their local communities. Members were directed to various social media platforms so members from around the globe could share their pictures and stories of community service. The chapter provided their distance members with links to find community service projects in their area, so they could collaborate with others and would not be alone in their efforts. The chapter also worked with the Student Services Department to coordinate the Stop Hunger Now event, in which meals were packaged and shipped to Panama to assist those in need.
We would like to congratulate the American Public University System chapter for their ongoing success and being named a 2013-2014 Key Chapter!