Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society that recognizes business excellence, will email invitations within the next few days to high-achieving upperclassmen in the Penn State Smeal College of Business.
Qualifying juniors and seniors should start checking their inboxes this week. Formal printed invitations will be mailed to students and parents in the near future.
“When I thought about joining BGS, the most important thing to me was knowing I was surrounding myself with the best minds in business,” said Tom Hinks, the appointed vice president of the Penn State chapter. “BGS is different from most other academic honor societies and fraternities because it is invitation-only membership for the top students at the top business schools in the world.”
“I would highly recommend any eligible student join BGS because you pay one time to receive a lifetime of benefits. During my internship with JP Morgan Chase, I saw several of my co-workers displaying their BGS certificate, wearing the pin, or even listing it in their directory page. In a large, prestigious firm like JPMorgan Chase, being a member of Beta Gamma Sigma is a way to differentiate yourself among the crowd and connect with other members.”
The Epsilon Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma at Smeal was established in 1957. Only the top 10 percent of the senior class and the top seven percent of the junior class are eligible for an invitation to join. Department chairs and parents are informed of a student’s accomplishment.
This year, new members will have the chance to share a distinction with Charles H. Whiteman, the John and Becky Surma Dean of Smeal.
“Dean Whiteman currently serves as the chairman of Beta Gamma Sigma’s governing body. It is an incredible luxury to have the dean of our college also chair the world’s foremost business honor society and I would recommend that any prospective members take advantage of this opportunity before his term is finished,” Hinks said.
The benefits to joining Beta Gamma Sigma include:
- Lifelong recognition and membership
- A career resource center
- An active alumni network
- A scholarship program
“At the induction banquet this past spring, I had the privilege of sitting with Dean Whiteman and other Smeal faculty who offered great advice on how to be successful in a career in business. I was able to put this to use during my internship this past summer with JP Morgan Chase and it helped to differentiate me from some of my fellow interns,” Hinks said.
Invitees can learn more about the organization and submit their application at 6 p.m. Nov. 7, in Room 217 Business Building. The application deadline is Nov. 16 for those who want to receive their certificate at the Dec. 10 banquet and induction ceremony. Dec. 4 is the final application deadline.