Beta Gamma Sigma Scholarships 2004

As usual, the 2004 Beta Gamma Sigma scholarship recipients represent the very best at our collegiate chapters. While each of our new members this year succeeded in countless ways, those that earned BGS scholarships stood out – even among the best of the best.

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Sabrina Nguyen

Sabrina Nguyen is one such BGS student member. Earning a 3.91 grade-point-average, she returns this fall to Georgetown University for her senior year as an International Business and Finance major. She has earned numerous awards and honors signifying her academic excellence.

What sets her apart from other BGS student members, however, is the tireless work she has done establishing the William Gaston Foundation for Behavioral Healthcare. In her application for the BGS scholarship, Nguyen wrote that she began visiting behavioral health centers in Washington, D.C. as research for her minor in justice and peace studies. What began as part of her studies became “a passion and the establishment of a student-run, non-profit business.”

Nguyen said she met with health professions, visited Washington-area clinics, and spoke with her mentors. She said she decided to “establish a foundation that linked the community’s capital and human resources to its neediest clinics.

“Following months of researching the legal, financial and operational issues of such an organization – from recruiting members and composing bylaws to networking with area corporations and law firms, gaining their trust in the Foundation’s cause, and obtaining their agreement for professional support – we incorporated.

“Now, with legal recognition and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, the Founda-tion provides financial assistance and mentoring services to Devereux Children’s Center, a non-profit behavioral health clinic, school and home for children removed from their families by order of the D.C. Superior Court due to neglect and abuse.”

The faculty at Georgetown University is extremely proud to have Nguyen as a student.

“Sabrina is brilliant in her thinking, extremely hard working, and always delivers excellent work,” wrote Dr. Michael R. Czinkota, professor at Georgetown, in his recommendation of Nguyen for the BGS scholarship. “She personifies the qualities of Beta Gamma Sigma.”

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Christopher S. Hoffert

As a senior Finance major scheduled to graduate in December 2004, Christopher S. Hoffert is another scholarship recipient who stands out from the crowd.

As an honor society dedicated to highlighting excellence in business, Beta Gamma Sigma appreciates individuals who display outstanding leadership skills. Hoffert has spent his entire academic career at Shippensburg University engaged in campus leadership projects.

Hoffert served terms as president and vice president of the Shippensburg Investment Club, described by Dr. Ming-Shiun Pan as “one of our most successful student organizations.” Pan, chair of the Department of Finance, recommended Hoffert for the BGS scholarship and said he was responsible for much of the Investment Club’s success.

“Chris’s principle strengths are his intellectual ability, academic achievements and leadership,” he said. “His performance in classes has been ‘head-and-shoulders’ above the rest.”

In addition to the Investment Club, Hoffert has served terms as president and vice president of the Shippensburg Global Collegiate Fund, which is a $15,000 real-dollar portfolio managed by students. He has participated in the Investment Management Program, which manages over $70,000 of University Foundation funds in two real-dollar portfolios. He has been a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity since 2001.