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Student Organizations

Beta Gamma Sigma


Beta Gamma Sigma is the honor society for business programs accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and is dedicated to principles and ideals essential to a worthy life as well as to a commendable business career. Founded as a national organization in 1913 from the merger of three campus organizations at the University of Wisconsin, action was initiated in 1919 to establish Beta Gamma Sigma as the only scholastic honor society recognized by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).  This organization, renamed AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, includes in its membership collegiate schools of business that meet the high standards of eligibility required of member institutions with respect to curricula, teaching staff, teaching loads, library and laboratory facilities.  Today, Beta Gamma Sigma has 394 chapters at colleges and universities accredited by AACSB international in all 50 states and three countries.  Additionally, Beta Gamma Sigma has established 16 alumni chapters in major metropolitan areas across theUnited States.  Beta Gamma Sigma has inducted more than 500,000 individuals into its membership.  In South Carolina, the Alpha Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma was established at the University of South Carolina in 1963.  Our chapter is the oldest and largest chapter in South Carolina. 

The principles of Beta Gamma Sigma are represented by three Greek words, the initials of which form the name of our Society – BETA GAMMA SIGMA.  Beta is the initial letter of the Greek word BEBAEOS (beb-i-os), 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. Gamma is the initial letter of the Greek word GNOSIS (no-sis), which means wisdom.  Wisdom is knowledge tested by experience and tempered by discerning judgment.  It abhors prejudice and insists upon freedom of thought and expression.  Sigma is the initial letter of the Greek word SPOUDE (spoo-day), which means earnestness. Earnestness is enthusiasm measured by achievement, disciplined by reason and ennobled by sincerity.  This dynamic quality is essential for all great achievement.

The mission of Beta Gamma Sigma is to encourage and honor academic achievement in the study of business and to recognize personal and professional excellence in the practice of business.  This mission is exemplified in the five objectives of the Society:


I. Encourage and honor high academic achievement by students of business and management through chapters at schools and management through chapters at schools accredited by AACSB International.
II. Foster in Beta Gamma Sigma members enduring commitment to the founding principles and values of Society:  honor and integrity, pursuit of wisdom, and earnestness.
III. Support the advancement of business thought, at both the Society and chapter levels, so as to encourage lifelong learning for members and other constituents.
IV. Enhance the value of Beta Gamma Sigma for student members in their professional lives.
V. Enhance the visibility and reputation of Beta Gamma Sigma.

Beta Gamma Sigma, the honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International, provides benefits to four significant groups:  society, the corporate community, the chapter and university, and the individual member.  Each of these groups is enriched by the presence of Beta Gamma Sigma.  Every Beta Gamma Sigma program has the goal of serving and fulfilling the needs of one or more of the significant groups.  This “service to Society” – the true heart of the mission and objectives of Beta Gamma Sigma – begins during the college years and extends into and beyond members’ professional lives.

To Society:

Recognizing Outstanding Achievement 

To the Corporate Community:

Identify high-potential candidates

To the University and Collegiate Chapter:

  • Opportunity to provide international society recognition to outstanding scholars and be recognized as a quality business program 
  • Scholarship Program
  • Opportunity to nominate International Award Recipients
  • Outstanding Chapter Awards
To recognize chapters that demonstrate excellence in chapter performance, the Society annually names Outstanding Chapters at various levels.  Each school honored receives a Beta Gamma Sigma scholarship to present to one of its student members.  Each year, Beta Gamma Sigma presents the Medallion for Entrepreneurship and Business Achievement Awards to individuals who have demonstrated significant achievement in business. Collegiate chapters are encouraged to nominate successful professionals for these awards.  Presented locally, these awards provide the opportunity to showcase the local campus and community.  Collegiate chapters meeting specified criteria are eligible to award a $1,000 Beta Gamma Sigma scholarship to one of their members.

To the Individual Member:

Lifetime Recognition for Outstanding Academic Achievements:   By accepting membership, members receive lifetime recognition for their outstanding academic achievements in the study of business.

BetaLink On-Line Community: Benefits Discount Programs--Student members of Beta Gamma Sigma are eligible for discount programs at Avis Car Rental, Enterprise-Rent-A-Car, GEICO Auto Insurance, Princeton Review online courses, and other insurance programs.  Student members also receive a one-year free subscription to Business Week, and then can renew the subscription at a special discounted rate. Beta Gamma Sigma offers a custom designed MasterCard that is made available exclusively to members.

BGS LogoLine Apparel and Gifts:  Would you like to display your pride in Beta Gamma Sigma at the office? How about a gift for that special BGS member? The BGS LogoLine has what you need. Go to www.betagammasigma.org/regalia.htm to check out the latest selection of BGS apparel and gift items, or call the Central Office to receive the new full-color flyer. 

Save2Help on BetaNet: Have you finished up your holiday shopping or are you ready to jump in with the rest of the "last-minute" crowd?  If the latter applies to you, consider checking out Save2Help, the on-line shopping opportunity that is found on the BetaNet website. On the site, you can find hundreds of items.  From toys to office equipment, books to electronics, you can find great deals on whatever your looking for.  Just go to http://www.save2help.com/BGS/ to get started.  Or, you can find Save2Help and other great benefit programs on the "Member Benefits & Programs" page on BetaNet. 

Student Leadership Forum:  Student members of Beta Gamma Sigma are chosen to take part in a weekend-long forum, which focuses on personal and group leadership issues.  The Forum is an opportunity for chosen students to examine career and life issues that are most important to them.  Individual and group projects highlight the experience. 

Lifelong Learning through the Society’s Print and Electronic Publication:   The Society continues to expand the reach of the BGS Alumni Network. With alumni chapters in 16 metropolitan areas, the network now stretches across the United States .  The Board of Governors is committed to strengthening the current chapters of the Alumni Network and ensuring that each chapter is meeting the needs of its members. The Central Office publishes the BGS International Exchange three times per year with distribution to 335,000 BGS members with e-mail addresses on file with the Society.  Beta Gamma Sigma student members at high-achieving collegiate chapters are eligible to receive the Society’s annual scholarship awards.  Since 1988, the Society and its member deans have awarded more than $75,000 in scholarships to outstanding student members around the world. The Society’s true aim is to serve its members: those honored as the best students in business in the world’s most prestigious business schools.  Those exemplary individuals who earn lifetime membership in the Society are the clear focus of Beta Gamma Sigma’s benefits and programs.

BetaNet is the Society's Web site ( http://www.betagammasigma.org ), which offers on-line, updated information about programs and services. Each helps keep the membership informed of the Society’s activities and provides lifelong opportunities through articles addressing current business topics.   This is the free, anonymous, on-line opportunity for members to search for jobs, post their resumes and get valuable career advice. The service connects "the best in business" with those companies interested in hiring them. 

Scholarship Program: 

Membership constitutes a lifetime connection between Beta Gamma Sigma and those who earn the Key. Once a member accepts the invitation to join the Society, the Key becomes a lifelong mark of distinction.  It is not something to be displayed while in college and discarded upon graduation.  Members showcase the Key prominently on their resumes.  Professionally framed membership certificates adorn the walls in their offices, because they are proud of their accomplishments.  When job openings occur with their organizations, they consider hiring or recommending other individuals who have earned the Beta Gamma Sigma Key. Members take seriously their commitment to educating others on the value and importance of Beta Gamma Sigma.

Membership in the Society is the highest honor a business student anywhere in the world can receive in a business program accredited by AACSB International.  It expresses to others – employers, colleagues, hiring managers and graduate school admission officers – the member's high potential for excellence and achievement.

Be proud of your affiliation with Beta Gamma Sigma.  The Society’s principles – honor, wisdom and earnestness – are worthwhile attributes for anyone seeing success and prosperity in today’s global business environment.  Strive to build on our relationship to the Society.  The lifelong mark of distinction that comes with that relationship can enhance your future and that of those around you.

Only those business programs accredited by AACSB International are invited to establish chapters of Beta Gamma Sigma. Through Beta Gamma Sigma, those business programs can honor their top business scholars with lifelong membership.

BGS Career Central Job Board:  As an outstanding student of business, membership in the Society identifies a person as an outstanding potential candidate for job openings and promotions.  BGS Career Central directly connects partner companies with outstanding member candidates. Beta Gamma Sigma recognizes the scholastic accomplishments and high professional potential of the top scholars enrolled in the world's most prestigious business programs.  Honor society membership, like most worthwhile things in life, does not come easily.  Therefore, when an invitation to membership arrives, it truly is a matter of honor. Beta Gamma Sigma members are encouraged to go forward and make a positive difference in the world around them.