Students inducted into new LAU chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma honor society
“It’s a wonderful and unique opportunity for our brightest students to join a network of similarly motivated and ambitious professionals across the world,” said Abbas Tarhini, assistant professor of information technology at the Adnan Kassar School of Business, during a ceremony to initiate the LAU chapter of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society (BGS) and celebrate the induction of its first members.
Twenty-eight LAU students and recent graduates were awarded a lifetime membership to Beta Gamma Sigma, the premier honor society recognizing business excellence. Each member had, by the end of the spring semester, achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.86.
The value of BGS membership to those lucky few who receive it is immense, stressed LAU accreditation and continuous improvement coordinator Samar Aad Makhoul, initiator and administrator of the new chapter, and MC for the evening. “It is a symbol of academic excellence that gives each member an edge in this highly competitive business world.”
Tarhini, faculty advisor for the chapter, stood beside the Interim Dean of the School of Business Said Ladki, School patron Adnan Kassar and LAU President Joseph G. Jabbra to personally congratulate each of the honorees and present them with a certificate, a pin, an honor cord with tassel and a medal.
“The name Beta Gamma Sigma means honor-wisdom-earnestness,” explained Ladki to the crowd of students, alumni, board members and friends of LAU gathered in the courtyard of the school. “Indeed, the BGS honor society cultivates and celebrates leadership and professional excellence to advance societal values.”
President Jabbra also took to the podium to congratulate the school and its students and to address its patron. “Thank you for all you do in society in Lebanon and beyond. Today we are benefiting from your indefatigable efforts to make sure that Lebanon is in good health,” said the president before placing a blue and yellow BGS honor cord with tassel around Kassar’s shoulders.
The unveiling of a 100kg key to mark the initiation of the LAU chapter of BGS followed, and was succeeded by a cocktail reception with live music enjoyed by students, alumni and faculty. “I am very proud to see many of my students inducted into the society,” enthused faculty member Rabih Abi Ammar, who graduated from LAU with a degree in accounting and an M.B.A. “LAU has the standards and now has the associated accreditation. This is a true reflection of what our university is about and makes it more prestigious for me to belong to LAU.”
Newly inducted member of the BGS honor society Karine Monsef concurs. “I expect that this will open many doors for me and help me achieve my goals,” said the third year student of banking and finance. She was one of the 21 women of a total of 28 LAU students and recent graduates to receive the prestigious lifetime membership.
The honor society induction would not be possible without the generosity of supporters, including Fransabank Sal, which made a significant sponsorship gift.