History of Beta Gamma Sigma
BGS Key outside of the CoB
Founded as a national organization in 1913, the first national honor society in business was a merger of three separate societies established to honor academic achievement in business at the University of Wisconsin, University of Illinois and the University of California.
Today, Beta Gamma Sigma recognizes the best business students internationally at institutions accredited by AACSB – The International Association of Management Education. There is no higher honor than to graduate “Beta Gamma Sigma.”
The Beta Gamma Sigma Key was installed outside of the CoB in June 2001.
Beta Gamma Sigma Initiation Ceremony & Banquet Speakers
Each year, the college recognizes its best and brightest students as they are initiated into Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society for AACSB-accredited business schools. An executive from a major organization in N. E. Ohio is invited to address the initiates. Recent speakers include:
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2022 - Mrs. Gale Crosley, Owner and President, Crosley+Company
2021 - Dr. Gary L. Miller, President, The University of Akron
2019 - Joe DiRocco, Regional President (Northeastern Ohio), Fifth Third Bank
2018 – Laura Thompson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
2017 - James D. McCool, Executive Vice President, Corporate Initiatives, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
2016 – Mark R. Belgya, Senior V.P. & CFO, The J. M. Smucker Company
2015 – Anthony J. Alexander, Executive Chairman, FirstEnergy Corp.
2014 – Martin P. Hauser, CFO, SummaCare, Inc.; Chief Government Relations Officer, Summa Health System
2013 – Brad J. Dickerson, CFO & CAO, Under Armour Inc.
2012 - Dr. William H. Considine '69, President, Children's Hospital and Medical Center of Akron
2011 - Dr. Frank Douglas, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Austen BioInnovation Institute.
2010 - Thomas Gedelian, CPA, Director of Taxation, BCG & Company
2009 - Thomas F. Zenty III, CEO, University Hospitals
2008 - Charles E. Hallberg, J.D., President & CEO, MemberHealth
2007 - Richard J. Kramer, Exec. VP & CFO, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
2006 - Kathryn W. Dindo, VP & Chief Risk Officer, FirstEnergy Corporation
2005 - Lawrence J. Rybka, J.D., CFP, President & CEO, ValMark Securities
2004 - Elizabeth Stroble, Sr. V.P. & Provost, The University of Akron
2003 - Luis M. Proenza, President, The University of Akron
2000 - Richard P. Adante, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
1999 - William T. Keevan, Arthur Andersen, LLP
1998 - Donna L. Barton, Oak Associates, ltd
1997 - Michael J. Berthelot, CEO, TransTechnology
1996 - Stanley L. Apple, CPA, Pres. & Managing Principal, Heinick, Apple & Company
1995 - Claudia J. Bowers, Executive V.P., TRC Industries
1994 - Willard R. Holland, President & CEO, Ohio Edison Co.
1993 - Roger T. Read, President & CEO, Harwick Chemical Corp
1992 - Vincent A. DiGirolamo, Pres., Chairman & CEO, National City Bank
1991 - David L. Brennan, Chairman, The Brenlin Group
1990 - Isidore C. Myers, Owner, Isidore C. Myers Properties
1989 - Paul H. Smucker, Chairman of Executive Committee & CEO, J.M. Smucker Company
1988 - Robert W. Clark, President, Loral Systems Group, Corp. Vice President of Loral Corporation, New York
1987 - Howard Flood, CEO, First National Bank of Ohio & First Bancorporation of Ohio
1986 - Michael J. Badalich, President & Chairman, M.J. Badalich & Associates
1985 - Rainy Stitzlein, President, Rainbow, Inc
1984 - Henry J. Belden, Chairman of the Board & CEO, Belden & Blake Corporation
1983 - George Wallace, International Comedian
1982 - Stanley C. Gault, Chairman of Board & CEO, Rubbermaid, Incorporated
1981 - Mayor Roy L. Tay, President Acme Albrecht Co., Real Estate Division
1980 - Justin T. Rogers, President, Ohio Edison Company
1979 - Sherman Schumacher, General Agent, Provident Mutual
1978 - The late Dennis Gordon, Head, School of Accountancy, The University of Akron
1977 - John L. Tormey, Chairman & CEO, Roadway Express
1976 - Charles J. Pilliod, Chairman & CEO, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
1975 - Stanton H. Brightman, President & CEO, First National Bank of Akron
1974 - Felix N. Mansager, Chairman & CEO, The Hoover Company
1973 - M.G. O'Neil, President & Chairman General Tire & Rubber Company
1972 - Mario A. DiFederico, President, Firestone Tire and Rubber Company