UNC Asheville Students Inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma National Business Honor Society

Thirteen UNC Asheville juniors and seniors were recently inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society. It is the highest recognition a business student can receive. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is offered to only the top seven percent of juniors and top ten percent of senior business majors, who have also demonstrated personal and professional excellence in pursuit of their degrees.

Inductees were Jack Ballard, Brett Olivia Boyd, Adam Cook, Trent Ferguson, Russell Gowan, KaSondra Inman, Francis Kelly, Carole Owenby, Rebekah Owens, Jessica Reek, Elizabeth Smolski, Ann Taylor and April Wilson.

UNC Asheville's chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma is the most recent addition to the international honor society. The Management and Accountancy Department qualified to sponsor a chapter as a result of the recent accreditation of its bachelor's degree programs from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB), the premier international accrediting agency for business schools and one of higher education's most rigorous accrediting bodies. The AACSB unconditional recommendation for UNC Asheville's accreditation included six commendations of strengths, innovations and unique features, and two effective practices. Only 482 schools worldwide have achieved this elite accreditation.

During the Beta Gamma Sigma induction ceremony, honorary membership was given to Asheville businessman Chuck Reiley, retired regional director of BellSouth Telecommunications Inc. and member of the UNC Asheville Management and Accountancy Department Advisory Board. Arthur King, dean of the Winston-Salem State University Business School and Beta Gamma Sigma member, conducted the ceremony.

UNC Asheville's Management and Accountancy Department offers three distinct bachelor of science degrees: management, accounting, and industrial and engineering management. Nearly 3,000 students have earned degrees since the department was founded in the early 1970s. Currently, the department employs 13 full-time and five part-time faculty members. Some 100 students graduate from the program each year.

Media Contacts:

• Dr. Tony Capraro, UNC Asheville Assistant Professor of Management and Accountancy, 828/251-6848
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526