Business school receives charter from Beta Gamma Sigma honorary

Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in an undergraduate or master’s program at a school accredited by AACSB International. Of the 1,400 institutions with business degree programs, less than 350 are accredited by AACSB International and have chapters of Beta Gamma Sigma. To be eligible for membership, a student must rank in the upper 7 percent of the junior class, upper 10 percent of the senior class or upper 20 percent of the graduating master’s class.

In a special ceremony held Dec. 14 at IU Kokomo, Chancellor Ruth Person was inducted into the School of Business’ new chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma. She is carrying on the family tradition of excellence in scholarship and service established by her father, Theodore Janssen, in 1936 when he was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma at the University of Denver as a master’s degree candidate. Along with Person, students who received the key of Beta Gamma Sigma were Christina Coffin, Sharpsville; W. Jason Arnett, Kokomo; and Kurush Kersi Udwadia, Kokomo.

Alan Biggs, Logansport, was presented a recognition certificate. Biggs, a graduate student in the M.B.A. program, was first inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma as an undergraduate. New inductees also included Naga Pulikonda, associate professor of economics, Stuart Green, IU Kokomo vice chancellor, and Niranjan Pati, dean of the business school. Dilip Pendse, former director of the M.B.A. program, was inducted posthumously.

During the ceremony, the school also received its charter from Beta Gamma Sigma, the national scholastic honor society for AACSB International accredited business schools.

Presiding over the induction ceremonies was Kathy Parkison, associate professor of economics and acting director of the M.B.A. program. Assisting her were Beta Gamma Sigma members Marilyn Kintzele, professor of accounting, and Tom von der Embse, professor of management. Also present was Beta Gamma Sigma member David Rink, professor of marketing at IU Kokomo.