Garnet and Gold Scholar Society inducts first members

At Florida State University, being engaged in various activities outside of the classroom is a pursuit in which a growing number of students choose to invest themselves.

The Garnet and Gold Scholar Society formalizes that pursuit and helps to further enshrine it into the campus culture. It recognizes students who participate in three out of five areas of engagement — leadership, internship, service, international experience or research.

On the evening of April 21, President Eric J. Barron lauded the inaugural class of 31 Garnet and Gold Scholar Society members during an induction ceremony at the President’s House.

“You have been pioneers in undertaking this unique initiative—a distinction that will reflect your talents, your motivation, your achievement and your drive throughout the years after graduation,” Barron said. “We are proud to honor you this evening, and we will be proud to recognize you again at Commencement. You have proven that you are leaders, and we hope generations of Florida State students will follow your lead and become members of this Garnet and Gold Scholar Society.”

Vice President for Student Affairs Mary Coburn praised the students not only for their engagement in the university community, but also their commitment to representing Florida State around the world.

“One of President Barron’s main goals when he became president of Florida State was to make FSU the most student-centered campus in the country, and we are confident that this program will assist us in reaching this aspiration,” Coburn said.

The ceremony included the lighting of seven candles. The first signified the birth of the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society. There was one representing each of the five areas of engagement. The final candle represented how the three areas of engagement will inform students’ post-collegiate plans. The event also featured each student reading an excerpt from a statement they were required to write about their engagement experiences.

Student Amy Derringer discussed her leadership experience.

“I come to a point now where my experiences practicing and learning about leadership development have pushed me to a deep conviction of lifelong learning and self-development as a leader,” Derringer said. “Over the past year or so, I have begun to resonate with some key leadership learning take-aways, including but not limited to the following — leadership is a process, leadership can be learned, leadership is values-based, and leadership is rooted in healthy, loving relationships.”

Student Al Heartly discussed his internship experience at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago.

“What came out from my work with Steppenwolf was great self-confidence about my work and goals,” Heartly said. “I found out that I could do many things in theatre because I had learned so much from working at Steppenwolf.”

Student Dadrian Campbell discussed his service working with disadvantaged male youths.

“Being a part of an all-male community service organization, I have seen how service engagement can greatly impact a man’s life,” Campbell said. “I have seen my mentees do more work, become less disruptive in class, and have a greater passion to learn. My service experiences throughout the years have taught me to be grateful for what you have and to never take anything for granted because there is someone who is always less fortunate than yourself.”

Other students discussed their international and research experiences.

Each student received a Garnet and Gold Scholar Society medal, which was handcrafted by the university’s Master Craftsman Studio.