Florida State University School of Library & Information Studies graduating senior Allison Loehr was recently inducted into the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society (GGSS).

Candidates for induction to GGSS are required to demonstrate how they have “developed their leadership, professional, citizenship and/or research skills while building collaborative relationships in the academic, local or global community.”

GGSS facilitates involvement and recognizes the engaged, well-rounded student who excels within and beyond the classroom in the areas of Leadership, Internship, Service, International, and Research.  Students must meet criteria in three of the five areas and write an approved Synthesis Reflection to be considered.   Candidates also must hold a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and clearance from the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

“The Garnet and Gold Scholar Society asks more of you (than most honor societies) and makes you try harder to be a part of it,” Loehr.  “I wanted to be a part of a group of people who were willing to work for it.”

Loehr met criteria in the engagement areas of Leadership, Internship and Service, and fulfilled the writing requirements.  As an example, the area of Service requires 200 hours to be documented before completing a reflection about her experience.

“You had to write a reflection of each area and then write an overall synthesis at the end talking about all three of our experiences and how they impacted you,” Loehr said.

Loehr, who will graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Information, Communication and Technology, has been particularly involved in outreach throughout her college career as member of groups such as the FSU STARS (Students & Technology in Academia, Research & Service) Alliance and WISE (Women in IT/ICT Sharing Experiences).

The achievement will be noted on Loehr’s academic transcript, and will be recognized at graduation and by the awarding the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society Medal.

Each Garnet and Gold Scholar is paired with an Overall Program Advisor that mentors students throughout the program and evaluates the students work. In Allison’s case, she worked with Associate Dean Ebe Randeree who said, “Students like Allison represent the best of our university; she is an engaged student in the classroom, at her two jobs, and with her numerous leadership and service roles on and off campus.”

“It’s really beneficial to be a part of a group where there are other people who are accomplishing the same things and you can actually reach out to them after graduation,” Loehr said.

For more information about Garnet & Gold Scholar Society, visit:
garnetandgoldscholar.fsu.edu.