The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) President Dr. Franklyn Jenifer and Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Hobson Wildenthal today became the first two UTD inductees into Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honorary society, when a chapter of the prestigious organization was installed on the university’s campus.
Gerald H. Hoag, immediate past president of the UTD School of Management’s advisory council, also was inducted into the business honor society, along with 130 students and recent graduates of the management school. Professor Thomas Gutteridge, dean emeritus of the University of Connecticut School of Business and a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Board of Governors, presided over the installation ceremonies.
Beta Gamma Sigma recognizes outstanding academic achievements of students from only those collegiate business programs accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
“Establishing a Beta Gamma Sigma chapter here at UTD is a hallmark achievement for our school and students,” said School of Management Dean Dr. Hasan Pirkul, who hosted the chapter installation and induction ceremonies.
“It allows our top students to be counted among those who have gained the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive at the undergraduate, graduate or doctoral levels.”
Dr. Constantine Konstans, associate director of UTD’s Accounting and Information Management Program, who is serving as president and faculty adviser of the new UTD honorary organization, agreed with Pirkul, noting that the organization stressed a code of the highest ethics and values for its members.
“In an era when society is focusing on questions of ethics in business, I see the UTD Beta Gamma Sigma chapter’s becoming a vehicle that can, through various activities, help shine a light on the importance of ethical behavior in business,” Konstans said, adding that the organization’s objectives emphasized honor, integrity, the pursuit of wisdom and earnestness for its members.
To be eligible for membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, a student must rank in the upper seven percent of the junior class, upper 10 percent of the senior class, or upper 20 percent of the graduating master’s class. Doctoral candidates are automatically eligible following completion of all requirements for the degree. The international organization has a membership of more than 460,000.
Jyoti Mallick, who is the new chapter’s secretary-treasurer and administrative adviser, pointed out that making membership in the organization available to UTD management students will allow the students who work the hardest to gain the recognition they deserve. “Our top students will now be able to list this on their resume and to network with top professionals,” she says. “It’s a real plus for both our students and our school.” Ms. Mallick is director of The UTD School of Management’s Cohort MBA Program.