Student group recognized for excellence in academics, professionalism and leadership

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University’s Gamma Rho chapter of Beta Alpha Psi has once again been recognized as a superior chapter by the organization for its outstanding efforts during the 2017-18 academic year.

This is the 35^th time the chapter has received the Superior Status designation from the international organization.

Superior status

Beta Alpha Psi is an international honor and service organization for accounting, finance and information systems students. Its mission is to inspire and support excellence through the study and practice within the stated fields; provide opportunities for professional and personal growth through community engagement and networking; and to emphasize the importance of ethical, social and public responsibilities.

The recognition received by the Gamma Rho Chapter is a significant achievement. In order to achieve this status, the chapter exceeded the rigorous requirements of Beta Alpha Psi and excelled in the areas of academics, professionalism and leadership. During the 2017-18 academic year, WMU Beta Alpha Psi students completed 1,289 hours of professional activities and 1,882 hours of community service.

"Achieving Superior Status takes a great amount of dedication and effort," says Dr. Cari Burke, advisor for the group and assistant professor of accountancy. "The chapter went above and beyond in the last year. We are so proud of the Gamma Rho chapter students and look forward to what the next year brings."

Gamma Rho chapter

Beta Alpha Psi has more than 300 chapters on college campuses and over 300,000 members have been initiated since the organization's formation in 1919. The Gamma Rho chapter is actively engaged with the community and across the WMU campus. Accomplishments include:

• Selection by Beta Alpha Psi to co-host the organization's regional meeting in 2019.
• Taking first place at the 2018 Beta Alpha Psi Midwest Regional Meeting Best Practices competition.
• One Gamma Rho student was selected to participate in the prestigious Project Run with its competition at the 2018 Beta Alpha Psi annual meeting. Project Run allows members to engage in a real-world consulting project, developing solutions to business problems of an actual nonprofit organization.
• Annually facilitating and hosting Meet the Firms, a career fair geared toward students and employers in the accounting, finance and information systems fields.
• Providing tutoring services for the two accounting principles courses.
• Participating in numerous volunteer opportunities, including assisting local Kalamazoo county residents with free tax preparation and involvement with the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and Habitat for Humanity.

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