Professor Christopher Walther, through a Golden Key travel grant, was able to attend an international conference in South Africa from Sept. 20 to 21.

Golden Key is one of the larg- est honors societies in the world and Pace is one of the most active honor societies belonging to the highest level possible for a Gold- en Key Society. The gold level in which Pace belongs to, states that the society sponsors and cospon- sors events, and provides scholar- ships, grants, and research oppor- tunities.

“Golden Key Honor Society is a great opportunity for students to experience as much as they want from it,” said Walther, Golden Key Council of Advisors Member and Pace Chapter Advisor. “Students have the chance to apply for schol- arships and grants just like the Travel one that I used to attend the South Africa Conference.”

There are 14 United States regional chapters of the Golden Key honor society including in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Washington D.C. There are also national chapters all over the world including in South Africa.

The regional conference in South Africa was not an open con- ference to all, but by acceptance only. Professor Walther was one of three thousand people that applied to attend the conference and was one of the 20 accepted. Fifth year counseling student Daniel Bo- rakove accompanied Walther as a student teaching assistant. Walther presented on civic engagement and pro-social behavior at the con- ference and had one of the greatest attendances for his presentation.

“It was almost like I was fa- mous,” Walther said “colleagues and students remembered me from previous conferences and were all interested in my presentation. The conferences are a great way to network for yourself and gain con- tacts all over the world.”

With the Golden Key Travel Grant, Walther traveled to South Africa for the conference and decided to make it into an even greater learning experience by seeing some of the country’s his- toric sites. He saw places such as Robben Island Prison where Nel- son Mandela was held, a safari in which he was able to walk with the giraffes, and Boulder Beach more commonly known as Penguin Beach.

“One of the greatest things at Boulder Beach was watching a homeless man feed a seal,” Wal- ther said. “The man held the fish in his mouth and the seal ate in just like that!”

Professor Walther encour- ages students to become part of the Golden Key Honor Society and gain the opportunities that are available. If a student qualifies for the honor society they will be no- tified. There are currently roughly 175 students in the society, and 84

Students will be inducted on Nov.

3.
Opportunities to travel and

gain scholarships, grants, and a networking connection through conferences are one of the best reasons to become a part of the so- ciety. Being one of the most active organizations on campus, their ten events this semester open to stu- dents both in the honors society and not.

Events include the Jumpstart “Read for the Record” which pro-

motes early childhood reading and sets a world record every year, a Lunch Buddies Halloween part with special needs students, and reading to the children of Pleasant- ville. Every event is co-sponsored by another organization, and any- one can attend.

Those interested in the Golden Key Honor Society are encour- aged to attend an event and see all that can be learned and experienced.