Back Row (left to right): Dr. George D. Schmelzle, Clint Caselman, Tanner Courtney, Dr. Carl Keller, and Brandon Holman

Front Row (left to right): Veronica Shultz, Tara Randles, Madison Clark, Brandon Smith, and Elizabeth Sivill

 

Earlier this month, members of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), an international honors organization for accounting, finance, and information systems students, converged in Omaha, NE for the Missouri Valley Regional Best Practices Competition.  Missouri State students placed first in all three categories of the competition:

• Alignment of Officer Activities: Veronica Shultz and Brandon Smith
• Good or Great: Tanner Courtney and Tara Randles
• Leadership and Management: Madison Clark and Brandon Holman

“Winning first place in all three categories was a team effort. The teams met multiple times to critique each other and give ideas. I really believe we all won because of the teamwork involved,” states Brandon Smith, a senior majoring in accounting and current Beta Alpha Psi secretary.

All three teams were supported by MSU Beta Alpha Psi president, Elizabeth Sivill and vice president, Clint Caselman.   As the top team in each category, these MSU students will travel to Baltimore, MD in August, where they will compete during the National Beta Alpha Psi Annual Meeting.

“I am so proud of our Beta Alpha Psi students and faculty advisors Dr. George D. Schmelzle and Dr. Carl Keller.  To sweep first place in all three categories is exemplary and extremely rare,” states Dr. Stephanie Bryant, dean of the College of Business. “I am looking forward to a repeat of 2015 and seeing our students return with another first place national title.”

“The experience that you get from the competition is really hard to duplicate…Best Practices is a great way to help develop many of the soft skills that are a challenge to many…It teaches teamwork, leadership, time management, communication, commitment, creativity, camaraderie, responsibility, professionalism and so many other things…I am very thankful for the opportunity to be involved,” states Smith.

To become a member of Beta Alpha Psi, students must attend an AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accredited program, be among the top 35% of their university class or have a 3.0 cumulative GPA.