More than 300 new members were honored as new inductees into Cal State Long Beach's chapter of the Golden Key National Honor Society at a reception Wednesday in the University Student Union.

The honor society is a national organization and most universities have a chapter. It is open to junior and senior students who obtain a minimum GPA of 3.4 and are enrolled full time.

The top 15 percent of all majors are members, said Reza Vahdani-Sanavi, president of the CSULB chapter.

The honor society gives students the opportunity to learn leadership skills, said Denise Hull, corresponding secretary of the group.

The students can become leaders in the organization and in community service projects.

The club brings students together, Hull said. It fosters teamwork and networking.

The organization also has a career development network which connects students with potential employers.

The honor society bestows scholarships on students who have displayed superior academic achievement. In 1997, seven scholarships of $10,000 each were awarded around the country.

The group will award five $10,000 scholarships in 1998 to graduate students.

The honor society's Student Scholastic Showcase will give research students the opportunity to compete for a $1,000 scholarship by presenting their work at the 1998 Golden Key International Convention.

The honor society will hold a writing contest and an art contest will give students the opportunity to win a $1,000 scholarship for each, Hull said.

The group also has a nationwide program directed at elementary students. The program's goal is to educate students on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.

It warns that consuming alcohol before the legal drinking age or using illicit drugs is harmful and illegal.

The honor society shows students that the choices they make now will effect the quality of their lives.