For the second consecutive year, Ashford University’s chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society has been awarded the Society’s Key Chapter Award. The award is considered to be one of the most prestigious honors presented by Golden Key and is intended to recognize chapters that exemplify outstanding achievement or contributions in the areas of academics, leadership, and service.

At the gala closing ceremony for the organization’s international summit in Surfers Paradise, Australia, the Ashford chapter was one of 22 to receive the Key Chapter Award. The Ashford chapter competed with more than 400 other chapters for the top honor. In order to be considered for the award, chapter members had to first achieve all of the requirements for becoming a Gold Chapter and then demonstrate an ability to exceed those requirements.

Ashford University Golden Key CEO Brad Rainey and Ashford senior Mike Murphy accepted the award on behalf of the Ashford University chapter. Also in attendance were chapter vice president Talia Rossi and chapter co-advisor Dr. William Woods.

During the conference, chapter members participated in a service event to benefit the Aboriginal (Fierce Nation) peoples of Australia and an educational “Amazing Race” challenge.

“It is important to recognize the efforts of all of our chapter members, our honorary members, and our alumni who have given support to the chapter,” Woods said. “A special thanks goes to chapter advisor Ben Gothia, chapter president Efrain Ibarra, and Gema Delgado. Delgado served the chapter as president during her junior year and as vice president this year.”

Golden Key is the world's premier collegiate honor society, recognizing outstanding academic achievement and connecting high-achieving individuals locally, regionally, and globally with lifetime opportunity, reward, and success. It was founded in 1977 to recognize academic excellence and encourage scholastic achievement among college students across all academic disciplines.

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