Gordon Ford College of Business News

From left: Dean Christopher Shook, Christina Montgomery, Kaylee Basham, Emilee Marshall, Frank Zheng, Alea Luckett, Dr. Mark Ross, and Ms. Kristine Barron (Not Pictured: Kelsi Brierly)

WKU’s Eta Omicron chapter of Beta Alpha Psi has been recognized as a Gold Chapter by the international honor society for the first time in the chapter’s history. This honor was announced at Beta Alpha Psi’s Virtual Annual Meeting on August 6 and was awarded to only 10 out of more than 300 chapters internationally.

To be eligible to compete for the Gold Challenge, the chapter must have already achieved the highest level of Beta Alpha Psi chapter performance, Superior status. In addition, chapters pursuing Gold status must participate in regional and national events and develop a video demonstrating the definition of a Gold Chapter. For its efforts, the chapter will receive an award of $2,500 from the KPMG Foundation. View the chapter’s video submission here.

“Recognition as a Gold Chapter is a significant accomplishment,” said Ms. Rita Grant, BAP International President. “I want to especially congratulate the chapter on its accomplishment during this particularly challenging year.”

“We would like to congratulate our Beta Alpha Psi members and their dogged pursuit of accounting education excellence.  This chapter excelled during a year of rapid change and uncertainty,” said Dr. Christopher Shook, Dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business. “The GFCB is proud to emphasize providing professional associations that equip students with leadership and networking skills that will improve their professional lives.”

The Eta Omicron chapter has earned Superior Chapter status for the past 16 consecutive years and has continued to uphold its mission of encouraging and giving recognition to accounting students who exhibit exceptional scholastic and professional excellence.

“Our chapter was able to accomplish their winning feats both in person and virtually, which further demonstrates the commitment to excellence that each member possesses,” said Dr. Mark Ross, Chair of the Accounting Department. “Along with their own award recognitions, they coordinated the successful nomination of Ms. Ann Puckett, a tax partner at BKD LLP in Bowling Green, for the 2020 Business Information Professional of the Year award in the category of Professional Services. It was a great culmination to an otherwise challenging year for WKU’s BAP chapter.”

In addition to being recognized as Gold Chapter, the Eta Omicron chapter saw success in other international competitions listed below:

• Business Information Professional of the Year - Professional Services Award: Ms. Ann Puckett, BKD LLP
• Southeast Region Best Practices - Innovation: 1st Place
• Inclusive Leadership Award: 1st Round Winners

“I am so incredibly proud of our BAP chapter and the BAP leadership team for really taking ownership in the organization over this past year and for their dedication to seeing the chapter propel into a first-time Gold chapter,” said Ms. Kristine Barron, BAP Faculty Advisor. “In addition to hosting the regional conference for all chapters in the southeast region in February, our BAP chapter took home first place at the conference for Best Practices - Innovation by demonstrating and sharing with other chapters all the new collaborative efforts, events and technology they implemented. I’m amazed at their willingness to adapt to new challenges and truly think that the future accounting profession is in good hands with their talents, leadership skills and dedication.”

“Reflecting on this unprecedented year in many ways, one word comes to mind: perseverance. Our chapter set ambitious goals at the beginning of the year and persevered through many challenges throughout the year,” said Frank Zheng, 2019-2020 Chapter President. “Getting the opportunity to work and network with so many talented individuals within the financial information industry was the highlight of the year, but receiving Gold Chapter status was the icing on the cake. I cannot wait to see what the Eta Omicron chapter is able to accomplish in the future.”

"I have seen our chapter grow tremendously over the past 3.5 years. Our accounting students have taken the initiative to make this organization as student driven as possible. We have been able to make our mark in our region and nationally through Best Practices and Gold Chapter competitions,” said Alea Luckett, 2020-2021 Chapter President. “I am so proud of how far our chapter has come, and I am excited to see where new leadership takes it in the coming years. They truly have a legacy to maintain for Eta Omicron!"

Beta Alpha Psi has sought to recognize and encourage scholastic and professional excellence in the financial information field for more than 100 years. WKU’s Eta Omicron chapter was founded in 1988.

For more information about Beta Alpha Psi, visit the chapter’s website or contact Chapter Advisor Kristine Barron at kristine.barron@wku.edu.