Beta Gamma Sigma
Beta Gamma Sigma () is an academic honor society for top business school students. Founded in 1913 at the University of Wisconsin, University of Illinois and the University of California, it has over 800,000 members, selected from more than 612 collegiate chapters in business schools accredited by AACSB International. Founded in the United States, it has collegiate chapters in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the Netherlands, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Colombia, Chile, and others. Mission and  purpose. The mission of Beta Gamma Sigma is to encourage and honor academic achievement in the study of business; cultivate and celebrate leadership and professional excellence and build their professional skills; to foster an enduring commitment to honor and integrity, the pursuit of wisdom, earnestness, and service; and to serve its lifetime members by helping them network and connect to each other. Beta Gamma Sigma members reside in over 190 countries and there are more than 50 alumni chapters and networking groups located in major metropolitan areas and other regions throughout the world. These alumni groups provide ongoing educational and  networking opportunities for members—both in person and virtually. Beta Gamma Sigma is the largest alumni group in the world for graduates of business programs. Membership eligibility requirements include that a student must be in the top 10% of a bachelors business program (top 20% for masters programs) and they are inducted toward the end of their degree program, but no earlier than after completion of 50% of the coursework or the last semester of the 3rd (junior) year for those in 4-year bachelor's degrees. Doctoral students are eligible for membership after completing all requirements for the doctoral  degree. History. The Society was founded on with the union of three pre-existing local societies for men in commerce and economics. These were: Beta Gamma Sigma (1907) at the University of Wisconsin, the Economics Club (1906) at the University of California, and Delta Kappa Chi (1910) at the University of Illinois. The three are considered co-equal founding institutions. In 1919 Beta Gamma Sigma was designated by the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) as "the scholarship society" for students in commerce and business administration. Today, only AACSB schools are eligible to host chapters. On April 29 , 1933, Beta Gamma Sigma merged with Gamma Epsilon Pi, a similar organization that had been formed to serve women. Gamma Epsilon Pi had been founded on March 26, 1918, also at the University of Illinois. Beta Gamma Sigma was older, by five years, and the Society retained its name. Governance of the society is by convention, held biennially, with intermediate administration vested in a Board of Governors, these holding staggered, four-year terms. The organization is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. Significance of Initials. The Society explains its name in its Recognition Ceremony (public): Beta () is  the initial letter of the Greek word BEBAEOS, which signifies honor. Honor is personal integrity and excellence of character. It is an enduring quality found in all persons who deserve to lead others. All honorable persons conscientiously seek to recognize, to uphold, and to encourage that which is ethical and that which is just. Honor is a guiding star which encourages altruism, enlightened social responsibility, and service rather than selfishness. Gamma () is the initial letter of the Greek word GNOSIS, which means wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge tested by experience and tempered by discerning judgment. It abhors prejudice, it insists upon  freedom of thought and expression. Persons of wisdom constantly seek a better comprehension and more fruitful application of what is known. They are also endlessly engaged in a quest for an understanding of what is unknown. Confronted by a veritable flood of facts and concepts, the person of wisdom exercises special discrimination to select, to arrange, to relate, to interpret, and to apply. This is a challenge worthy of the finest mind. Sigma () is the initial letter of the Greek word SPOUDE, which means earnestness. Earnestness is enthusiasm measured by achievement, disciplined by reason and ennobled by sincerity. It is  that dynamic quality which is essential for all great achievement. Without Earnestness, both Honor and Wisdom lose much of their potential effectiveness. The greatest personal achievements are tributes to the blending of honor, wisdom and earnestness in the minds and hearts of those who lead. Rewards for the individual and progress for society surely proceed from this wholesome union of qualities.