Thirty-two outstanding business students from Memorial and local businessmen Paul Dicks and Glenn Stanford were inducted into the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma international honour society yesterday. Induction into Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive at a school accredited by AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

“The global business community recognizes that Beta Gamma Sigma members have attained academic excellence and are committed to ethical business practices,” said Dr. Gary Gorman, dean of Memorial's Faculty of Business Administration. “Membership marks a person's high level of achievement and professionalism and I am delighted to see so many of our students earn this honour.”

During the ceremony, local businessmen Paul Dicks and Glenn Stanford were inducted as honorary members of the society in recognition of their contributions to the community. Mr. Dicks, the former minister of finance and mines and energy, has served as chairman of the board of Newfoundland Hydro and sit on the Bank of Canada's board of directors. Mr. Stanford was the driving force behind the successful 14-year history of the St. John's Maple Leafs.

While almost 300,000 students receive a bachelor or master degree in business each year, only about 18,000 are inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma. Students ranking in the top seven per cent of the junior class, top 10 per cent of the senior class and top 20 per cent of the master programs at schools accredited by AACSB are eligible to be inducted into the society. The society encourages its members to follow the principles and values of Beta Gamma Sigma: honour and integrity, pursuit of wisdom and earnestness.

On May 25, Memorial inducted the following students into the Beta Gamma Sigma honour society: