By Jeff Samoray, OU Web Writer

After a year of an unprecedented level of university and community involvement, the Oakland University chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society was recognized nationally, regionally and by the campus community for its many achievements.

“USA Weekend” magazine cited the OU chapter in its April 27, 2003, issue honoring those contributing to the 2002 Make a Difference Day. The magazine recognized the chapter for planting trees and shrubs in a vacant lot on Detroit's east side where homes for economically disadvantaged families are to be built.

The OU chapter also received six regional awards – more than any other chapter – at the 2003 Great Lakes Regional Conference. Seventeen of the region's 21 chapters attended the conference at Central Michigan University April 4-6.

The regional awards include:

• Best Chapter Newsletter
• Best Honorary Member Outreach
• Great Lakes Chapter of the Year
• Great Lakes Largest Chapter Delegation
• Great Lakes Regional Adviser of the Year – Jean Ann Miller
• Great Lakes Regional Student Leader of the Year – Emily Fulton

• Student Leader of the Year – Emily Fulton
• Student Organization of the Year
• Student Organization Program of the Year – "Get Some! Sexual Responsibility Week"
• Outstanding Program Award for Academics – "Get Some! Sexual Responsibility Week"
• Outstanding Program Award for Diversity – "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives"

"The awards aren't about recognition – they're more about the projects we do and the impact we have on peoples' lives. If we achieve our goals, then the recognition will come," said Emily Fulton, OU Golden Key chapter president for 2002-2003 and senior finance major. "The honors are very emotional for me because we put in so much hard work and sacrifice. We gave up things like time with our families and sleep, but it's great to see that our work paid off. The impact we had can be bigger and last longer than we imagined."

Some of the projects the OU chapter organized this year were adopting the Meadowbrook Nursing Centre, where students conducted monthly events such as Christmas Carol singing, bingo and swing dance demonstrations; sponsoring "Get Some! Sexual Responsibility Week;" conducting a lecture / workshop titled "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives;" conducting a bone marrow educational drive; and establishing partnerships with other student organizations and local businesses.

Fulton also devoted at least 20 hours per week to Golden Key activities and spearheaded multiple chapter organizational strategies.

"I tired to encourage all of our members to accomplish lofty goals. I also hope to encourage future Golden Key members to go for their dreams," Fulton said. "The great part about being a leader is enjoying success as a group. Even though I was honored for receiving individual awards, I still feel I'm developing as a leader. I know there's so much more that I can do. It's exciting to find out more about myself and realize that my growth is not done."

The OU chapter is in the running for several international Golden Key awards, which will be given at the society's 2003 convention July 31-Aug. 3 in Chicago. Fulton has been nominated for International Student Leader of the Year and the OU chapter is being considered for the Golden Key Chapter Award – the highest honor a chapter can receive.

"Though my term as president has ended, I hope the OU chapter carries our momentum forward and the standards we set in terms of developing big, innovative projects," Fulton said. "People want to be part of something that's successful, fun and exciting. I encourage the new members to follow their dreams. If you put hard work into them, you'll be successful."

Golden Key is a higher education honor society that invites the top 15 percent of all juniors and seniors to become members. It recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement and excellence in all undergraduate fields as well as volunteerism to support local community needs. The OU chapter has inducted 5,451 members since it was formed in 1982.

For more information, visit the Golden Key International Honour Society Web site or contact the OU chapter at (248) 370-4254 or oaklandgoldenkey@aol.com.