Retired Penn State Official William W. Asbury Named Golden Key International Honour Society Chair

Dec. 14, 2009 - PRLog -- ATLANTA – Retired Penn State University Vice President Emeritus for Student Affairs, William W. Asbury, was recently elected chair of Golden Key International Honour Society’s Board of Directors, the Society announced on Monday.

“Bill has been an iconic supporter of Golden Key for over 20 years,” John Mitchell, Golden Key CEO said.  “Now, in his new role as chair, he will be the point person in helping to influence and direct the continued growth of the Society.  I have enjoyed working with Bill on the board, and look forward to an even closer working relationship with him as chair.”

Golden Key is unique in the scope of its organizational leadership.  The Board of Directors is comprised of volunteer corporate, non-profit and academic leaders and is balanced with experienced practitioners who provide guidance and support to the Society.  Elected by fellow board members for a two-year term, Asbury will provide vision and leadership for the Board as they make decisions that shape the future of Golden Key.  

Asbury retired in 2003 from Penn State where he worked for 27 years in three different capacities, most recently as Vice President for Student Affairs.  Since his retirement, Asbury has been active with Golden Key, serving as a member of the Board of Directors, president of the International Leadership Council and as a GK chapter advisor at Penn State.  

He also currently serves in various roles with the Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, NAACP and on the Citizen’s Advisory Council for the Center for Performing Arts at Penn State.  He previously held positions on the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education, Inc. and the Robert D. Lynch Student Leadership Development Institute.  

Prior to his appointment at Penn State, Asbury worked at Kent State University, his alma mater, for two years as Director of Human Resources.  While earning his master’s degree in sociology from Kent State in 1973, Asbury served as a contract compliance officer for the City of Akron.  He started his professional career as an account executive for the Sanford Rose executive search firm in 1969.

During his undergraduate career at Kent State, Asbury was a two-sport letterman in football and track and field.  He was named All-American and to the All-Mid-American Conference team, in addition to being inducted into the Kent State Hall of Fame.  After earning a degree in sociology, Asbury enjoyed a three-year career in the National Football League with the Pittsburgh Steelers.  

About Golden Key
Golden Key International Honour Society, established in 1977, is the world’s premier collegiate honor society, with over 1.8 million student and alumni members.  The Society has more than 370 campus-based chapters worldwide, including 281 in the United States, 17 in Canada and 62 others throughout the world in Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.  Membership into the Society is by invitation only.  For more information on Golden Key, please visit www.goldenkey.org.