By Jordan West

CLEVELAND, Ga. (TMNews) – Sigma Beta Delta, an International Honor Society for Business, Management and Administration, plans to induct their first class of Truett-McConnell students this April.

Sigma Beta Delta is an honor society that recognizes achievement in academics and character for those studying business. Shelly Fangmann, an administrative assistant in the business division, shares how the interest in the society was piqued by a student. Fangmann recalled, “A business student approached Dr. Forney about starting a chapter here at TMC. We felt this recognition would be a great addition to the business program.”

Senior, Laurren Segraves, who brought the idea forward on beginning a TMC chapter of Sigma Beta Delta commented: “Toward the end of my junior year, I researched honor societies and came across Sigma Beta Delta. Over the summer, I met with Dr. Forney and Mr. Tatum and a plan was put into action.”

Her intent was clear: “I wanted to help devise something that would help students with similar dreams to make themselves the most successful graduate school applicant possible,” Segraves said. “Which is why I believed an honor society such as Sigma Beta Delta would serve as an aid to those students.”

Members are inducted for a lifetime membership and are honored for their scholastic excellence. “It is an honor to be recognized as having an outstanding scholastic record. This will also benefit students when applying for future employment,” Fangmann explained.

As a member of Sigma Beta Delta, students are eligible for scholarships and are given opportunities to make connections with other members who have graduated from college and are having success in business careers.

On April 30, 2015, Truett-McConnell College will welcome nine senior students into its first Sigma Beta Delta chapter. Students invited to join must obtain a senior level class status along with a 3.5 GPA in all of their business classes. The honor of being inducted is a prestigious one, Fangmann explained: “It should serve as a source of pride and encouragement for students to strive for greater academic performance.”

Dr. Janet Forney, professor and department chair for TMC’s Business Division, shared a message for the students being inducted saying: “It is with great pride that I welcome our inductees into Sigma Beta Delta. This designation is a reflection of their hard work and dedication to study during their tenure at Truett-McConnell.”

As this is a lifetime membership, it should provide benefits for future employments, but also graduate school admission,” Forney added. “The business faculty is thrilled to be able to provide this membership to our outstanding business seniors.”

Inductees are: Alicia Bechtel, Jacob Brooks, Levi Fangmann, Katelyn Hammock, Laura Pickens, Hannah Sanders, Laurren Earnest Segraves, Craig Stephenson, and Zachariah Smith

TMC is excited to honor the accomplishments of those who have achieved such academic excellence as they become members of Sigma Beta Delta.

To learn more about Sigma Beta Delta, visit sigmabetadelta.org.

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Jordan West is a junior English major and freelance writer for TMC.

Photo/Jenny Gregory

Pictured above (from Left to Right): Assistant Professor of Business, Mr. Donald Tatum; Business Chair and Professor, Dr. Janet Forney; TMC Senior, Laurren Earnest Segraves; Business Administrative Assistant, Ms. Shelly Fangmann; and Assistant Professor of Business, Dr. Gary Fangmann pose in Miller Hall holding the Sigma Beta Delta award.

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