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Student Leadership Opportunities

Gold Chain Honor Society

The Tradition

The Golden Chain was officially founded on the campus of the Woman’s College of North Carolina in 1948. In that year, eight outstanding seniors were chosen to become the first links of the Golden Chain. These seniors in turn elected seventeen juniors to aid in the maintenance of excellence that would soon become a tradition at the University.

The name was chosen deliberately. “Golden” denotes excellence and rarity. “Chain” signifies linkage – a binding together of past generations of students who served that University and the organization with the present students, and with generations to come.

Golden Chain is singular and unique to the UNCG campus and was organized to recognize students who have made significant and meaningful contributions to the University community. From the beginning, the students inducted have been those who served the University and their fellow students in quiet as well as prominent ways. The seven links of the chain symbolize the qualities which have always been prerequisites for election to membership: leadership, scholarship, service, tolerance, judgment, magnanimity, and character.

The tradition of the Golden Chain is of special importance to the University. To preserve and nurture it for today and the future is the privileged responsibility of each member of the Golden Chain Honor Society.

The Seven Golden Links

LEADERSHIP – Denotes initiative, accountability, perseverance and proficiency in the guidance of others.
SCHOLARSHIP – Includes a minimum quality point average of 3.25 for all previous course work in this University.
SERVICE – Encompasses good rendered to the University unselfishly and of one’s own volition. Service is not necessarily to be equated with offices held.
TOLERANCE – The freedom from prejudice that allows one to be open-minded toward various opinions, beliefs, and practices without compromising one’s own values.
MAGNANIMITY – The nobility of mind and soul that allows one to rise above anger and pettiness.
JUDGMENT – The ability to think clearly and critically, to invoke sound reasoning in comparison and decision, and to formulate rational opinions.
CHARACTER – The moral courage, fortitude, and self-discipline unique to each individual but common among all who excel in this University. Character is a foundation for all the preceding six attributes.

Nomination Information

Nominees for membership in the Golden Chain Honor Society will be evaluated with respect to the seven qualities which are the seven links of the Chain: leadership, scholarship, service, judgment, tolerance, magnanimity, and character.
Juniors and Seniors with a GPA of 3.25 or greater are eligible for active membership.
Honorary members are welcome for nomination on the basis of their distinguished careers and meritorious service to the University.
Faculty and staff can nominate a deserving student through the nomination form.
Each application consists of 1) faculty/staff letter of recommendation, 2) nominee’s current resume, and 3) nomination form.

For more information about the Golden Chain Honor Society contact Meredith Atchison, Director of Campus Activities & Programs at m_atchis@uncg.edu.

University Marshals

Since its inception in 1893, the University Marshals has been an organization that prides itself on outstanding academic achievement, mature conduct, and significant leadership ability. The University Marshals are called upon to represent UNCG for its most formal ceremonies, including Nav1Gate, the Doctoral Hooding ceremony, and University Commencement. University Marshal membership is limited to approximately 100 students of all enrolled undergraduate students. Read more about the history of the University Marshals.

Spartans of Excellence

Each year we honor outstanding student leaders and groups at the Spartans of Excellence Student Awards Ceremony. This annual event provides an exciting opportunity to celebrate the impact our students and organizations make as leaders, scholars, and innovators. Learn more about Spartans of Excellence.

Spartan Alert