Oakland University’s Elliot Hall Stinson Center was once again filled with community, creativity and positive energy, thanks to the efforts of OU’s Golden Key chapter.

Golden Key hosted its own version of a Friendsgiving on Nov. 13 from 3 to 6 p.m. Like many events the student-run organization has held throughout the semester, this Friendsgiving served as an opportunity for students to step away from academic life and enjoy a well-deserved break.

“With the three hours that we have here, I want to do completely no school, just focus on an activity where you can either be stress-free or talk with friends to create a community gathering,” Tara Lehr, president of Golden Key, said. 

Although Golden Key, as an organization, is part of the International Honour Society that recognizes the top 15% of OU’s academic achievers, its events are open and welcoming to all students to join. 

“It’s really important to make it accessible to all students because although it’s GPA-based and it’s supposed to be the top 15% students, I know a lot of students can’t technically maintain high GPAs, so I don’t care if you don’t have the GPA, it really doesn’t matter to me,” Lehr said. “I’m putting this on for everybody and not just our members. I love seeing everybody come in and join.”

With a mindset centered on welcoming everyone, students get the chance to experience campus life and community, even through small events like this one, which make it easy to meet new people, relax and feel more connected on campus.

“These events actually bring people together and not just those who live on campus, but they include the people who don’t as well,” junior Kimberly Lowe said. “Sometimes as a commuter, I feel disconnected from campus, but things like this really draw you in and allow you to make new [friends who] might live on campus that you would have never met before.” 

As president, Lehr’s goal in planning and executing these events is to make them unique compared to others. Many student organizations host events like Friendsgiving; however, with the help of Lehr and the board members, Golden Key’s events stand out to students.

“I keep coming to their events because they literally throw the best events, like with the activities they have, the food, decorations and everything, that’s why I keep coming,” freshman Clé Jones said. “I feel like I’m really appreciated here; it feels like they really try to throw it for us rather than anything else, they’re always giving back to us.” 

Upon walking in, attendees were welcomed with a spread of food provided by Olive Garden, including dinner, dessert and drinks. After grabbing food, they had the opportunity to embrace their creativity with activities such as creating a faux floral arrangement, painting a pre-drawn canvas and designing custom bookmarks. 

“It was really just knowing I wanted to do themes and everything we do and buy is for the themes,” Lehr said. “I want students to walk in and feel like they’re at an event, by creating an ambience and creating the true feeling of being at an event. I think that’s where a lot of other groups kind of miss it. My main thing is always, what can we do differently? What’s new?”

With Lehr’s work in creating events centered around fun themes with creative names like “Deco Den,” “Witch-U-Doing,” and “Friendsgiving Paint and Sip,” many students have returned after their first time to experience more of Golden Key’s thoughtfully planned events.

The organization’s final event of the semester, with Lehr on board, “Winter Wrap-up,” will take place on Thursday, Dec. 4. This event will feature transforming wooden birdhouses into gingerbread houses and creating customizable ornaments. Further details and information can be found on its Instagram page.