Written by: Noe Moreno
Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) is the International Business Honor Society. BGS, was founded in 1913, and has since become a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS); recognizing and honoring top performing students in business schools accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Here at Missouri State University, the top 10% of undergraduate business students and top 20% of graduate business students are invited to join each semester. To be considered in these percentages, a student must have a GPA over 3.5 and accomplished a certain number of credit hours in the College of Business (COB). Being invited to join this organization is truly a prestigious recognition. Currently serving as President and Advisor for BGS at Missouri State, is Dr. Rebecca Rast, an Assistant Professor of Marketing.
Dr. Rast has now been managing BGS for the past four years, beginning her service in the fall of 2019. However, Dr. Rast’s experience extends farther than these past four years; having been inducted into the Missouri State BGS chapter when she was a student, although at the time it was the Southwest Missouri State University chapter. Recalling how positive her experience was when joining BGS, Dr. Rast was more than willing to offer her services when Missouri State asked for professors to help manage the BGS chapter. Currently, student engagement with BGS is having to pay the one-time membership fee, if students accept their invite, but there are no other obligations a student must commit too. Students have found this to be beneficial, as most that have joined are already taxed with other commitments; however, students can use this opportunity to build their resumes. Dr. Rast would like to continue to expand the benefits and networking opportunities for students involved in BGS.
BGS at Missouri State University is one of many chapters that help to build and expand BGS reach across the world. Currently, there are 600+ collegiate chapters, 32 alumni chapters, and 16 networking groups – all covering different cities and areas in over 190 countries. Joining BGS is a decision we would encourage business students to take, if offered, as it provides numerous benefits and opportunities for growth, networking, and leadership.
Students at Missouri State University are fortunate to be attending an AACSB accredited College of Business that provides them numerous opportunities to aid in their education, helping them succeed. The Marketing Department would like to extend its gratitude to Dr. Rast for leading such an incredible organization for our students; and would like to encourage students to consider joining BGS, provided they are given the chance to do so.