Charlie Opatz starting the dedication
Although the temperature was cool, the energy was high as students, faculty, alumni, and community members celebrated the official dedication of the Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) Key located outside the northwest door of Somsen Hall.
Professor JoEll Bjorke led the event by giving a brief history of the many year journey the College of Business underwent to earn its first accreditation from the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) in 2011. However, this accreditation needed to be re-earned and renewed five years later which the College achieved in 2016. And now, the College is in the last stages of its second renewal accreditation, and as Dr. Bjorke explained, the COB “can never rest on its laurels” but needs to be diligent in meeting the new standards of this present accreditation.
Dean Akbari discussing the importance of the BGS key
Professor Mark Young followed Bjorke and focused on the importance of the accreditation to the students. Because of the AACSB seal of approval, the College of Business is able to attract top-notch faculty from around the country who engage with students in and out of the classroom. This accreditation has been, on more than a few occasions, instrumental when prospective faculty inquire about employment in the College of Business.
Bethany Seifert, the President of our College’s Beta Gamma Sigma chapter, shared some of the accomplishments that the club has experienced during its short two-year existence. Some of these include: volunteering at The Feast (serving food to those in need), providing students access to financial calculators through renting to save them from the expense of purchasing their own, and the semi-annual textbook drive where proceeds benefit a local Miller Mentoring program.
Dean Hamid Akbari ended the ceremony by thanking those who came out to support and celebrate the College and BGS Key.
“BGS Key, a symbol of excellence in business studies, is dedicated by the faculty of Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Human Resources Management, Marketing, Management Information Services, and the College of Business Dean at Winona State University” – Dean Hamid Akbari