UHD recently hosted two chapter installation events for two new honor societies on campus, Golden Key International Honour Society and Alpha Lamda Delta - the National Academic Honor Society for First Year Students.

The new Golden Key International Honour Society chapter at UHD hosted its Chapter Installation and new member recognition event Friday, Jan. 31. The installation was presided over by Sareena Helton, the associate director of U.S. University Relations for Golden Key International and chapter advisors Mari Nicholson-Preuss, interim director of the University Honors Program, and Michelle Falcon, associate director for Learning Success. President Flores offered congratulatory remarks to the new members and their families. President Aracely Garcia, a junior political science major, spoke to members about the importance of celebrating academic achievement, the role families play in student success and the new chapter's plans for the future.

Golden Key International Honour Society was founded in 1977 and now has chapters in over 400 colleges and universities in the world. Golden Key is the world's premiere international academic honor society admitting only the top 15 percent of college sophomores, juniors and seniors. The UHD chapter recognized approximately 38 new members with 20 in attendance at the event.

Golden Key offers its members exclusive opportunities and connections through $1,000,000 in scholarships and awards, partnerships with major corporations, career advancement and graduate programs.

To find out more about Golden Key International Honour Society, please visit: www.goldenkey.org.

On Thursday, Jan. 30, UHD celebrated the installation of its new chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta, the National Academic Honor Society for First Year Students.

Founded in 1924 at the University of Illinois, Alpha Lambda Delta is a national honor society that recognizes and encourages academic excellence among first year students. Today, Alpha Lambda Delta has over 250 chapters throughout the United States and more than 700,000 students have been initiated into membership since the first chapter was started more than 80 years ago. UHD's First Year Honor Society applied for affiliation with National Alpha Lambda Delta and received its chapter in October 2013. Nicholson-Preuss and Falcon will also advise UHD's chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta. This year Alpha Lambda Delta will be celebrating its 90th anniversary.

Thirty charter members were inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta at the event. Ed Hugetz, interim provost, welcomed the students and their families at the beginning of the evening and President Flores congratulated the students on their accomplishments and successes at the end. Chapter President Daral Moore Washington, a sophomore fine arts student, offered remarks about the First Year Honor Society's accomplishments and plans for the future.

Membership in Alpha Lambda Delta is open to full-time freshmen students who earn a first semester scholastic average of 3.5 or better at a four-year college or university. Eligible freshmen from the class of 2017 can expect to receive their invitations before Spring Break.

To find out more about Alpha Lambda Delta, please visit: http://www.nationalald.org/