Message from the President
By Dr. Dennis Weidenaar

Welcome to yet another upgrade in our continuing effort to better communicate with members of Beta Gamma Sigma. This inaugural issue of the on-line version of the BGS International Exchange is the most recent response to the requests and demographics of our membership. Of course, you can look forward to an expanded “mini-magazine” printed version of the International Exchange this summer (for all the details, click here).

It is with some sadness and great satisfaction that this will be my last opportunity to communicate with you through the President’s Message. My term as president will end on June 30, 2004, with Dr. Sara Freedman, dean of the College of Business and Industry at Mississippi State University, scheduled to become the next president of the honor society. She has been a tireless supporter and advocate for Beta Gamma Sigma throughout her time on the Board of Governors, and she brings a unique blend of enthusiasm and professionalism to the position. I can assure that under the leadership of Dean Freedman, Beta Gamma Sigma will have a vibrant future.

As with most messages that come at the end of a term, it is appropriate to take a look back at what the Society has accomplished. While I am very proud of the developments during my presidency over the last two years, the progress made since 1996 – my first year on the BGS Board – leaves me almost speechless. Thanks to the contributions of countless talented people – Board members, staff members, deans at BGS institutions, alumni and student members, corporate and foundation partners, and many more – Beta Gamma Sigma has reached heights few thought possible just eight short years ago.

Consider these examples:

• In 1996, there were 301 collegiate chapters of Beta Gamma Sigma. Today there are 396.
• There was one alumni chapter in 1996 (New York City). Today there are 16 alumni chapters in major metropolitan areas across the United States. There are plans to add an alumni chapter in Hong Kong by the end of 2004.
• Fifty students at BGS member institutions were awarded scholarships in Fall 1996. In 2003-04, 82 scholarships were awarded to outstanding students as they continued their academic careers.
• According to the Spring 1996 issue of the BGS News newsletter, the Society had “over 375,000 members in its database.” By June 2004, that database will include more than 520,000 members.
• In 1996, the Society debuted its first website. Today, Beta Gamma Sigma’s dynamic web presence includes the BetaNet website, BetaLink On-Line Community, BGS CareerCentral Job Board, B-Zine monthly email newsletter, and this new on-line version of the BGS International Exchange.
• The Society had collected no email addresses by 1996. In 2004, this on-line newsletter was emailed successfully to more than 75,000 members.
• The University of Calgary was the only school outside the U.S. with a BGS chapter in 1996. There are now four chapters in Canada (with two more to be installed by June 2004), two in Hong Kong and one in Spain. Several more non-U.S. schools are working on installations in the next year.

I am humbled and honored to have played a small part as this Society has grown and prospered. While I will continue serving on the BGS Board for another two years, I know my membership in Beta Gamma Sigma will be a source of pride for the rest of my life. I, like you, am immensely proud to count myself as a member of this extraordinary organization, and I look forward to the Society’s limitless future.