The international business honor society recognized top-performing Love School of Business students during an induction ceremony, which included an address from chapter honoree Patricia Chadwick, president of Ravengate Partners LLC.
Elon University’s chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma inducted 53 members during a virtual ceremony on May 4.
Beta Gamma Sigma is the international honor society serving business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). Membership in the honor society is the highest recognition a business student can receive.
The inductees represent the top 10 percent of the junior and senior classes in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, as well as the top 20 percent of the graduating class in the MBA, MSBA and MScM programs.
Raghu Tadepalli, dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and BGS chapter president, led the ceremony.
The ceremony’s keynote speaker and chapter honoree Patricia Chadwick spoke to inductees about leadership, failure and service. Chadwick is the president of Ravengate Partners LLC, a consulting firm engaged in expert witness work and pro-bono advice for not-for-profit organizations, and serves as chair of the Love School of Business Board of Advisors.
“I know of no respected leader in business who isn’t proud to share examples of personal failures,” Chadwick said. “You will have your fair share as well; just remember to take away something of value from each challenging experience. Don’t let one failure turn into a defeat; don’t become discouraged and don’t ever lose your passion.”
She encouraged members to seize opportunities and forge their own path to leadership.
“Don’t feel the need to mimic anyone else,” she said. “Respected and successful leaders are not produced from a cookie cutter. On the contrary, they embrace the virtues of passion, integrity and teamwork in their own unique and personal way.”
She also explained leaders have a passion for philanthropy. “With success comes the obligation to share,” she continued. “It’s not a matter of money. It’s being able to give of your talents – mentoring, helping others solve challenging problems and also providing financial support. As each of you accomplishes objectives along your path to success, I promise you nothing will make you happier that to share the benefits of what you have reaped.”
During the ceremony, the chapter honored Associate Professor of Accounting Danny Lanier, Jr. with the 2021 Beta Gamma Sigma Professor of the Year award. Chapter members selected Lanier because he encourages and honors high academic achievement by business students; fosters in students an enduring commitment to the founding principles and values of the honor society—honor and integrity, pursuit of wisdom, and earnestness; and supports the advancement of business thought and practices to encourage lifelong learning.
Lanier joined Elon in 2013 and serves as chair of the Department of Accounting. Prior to Elon, he taught at Texas Christian University, Syracuse University and Wake Forest University. His research interests include the financial performance effects of significant seller-buyer relationships, earnings management, white-collar crime, and accounting pedagogy. He received his doctorate from the University of Georgia.
2021 inductees
Juniors
- Riley Allen
- Kai Bilotta
- Jessica Boyer
- Larsen Burack
- Maddie Cooper
- Hailey Crawford
- Abby Dilsheimer
- Nicole Dischinger
- Yuzu Do
- James Edmunds
- Colby Ehrhart
- Katy Elson
- Nicole Giacalone
- Jennifer Goldberg
- Lev Goldstein
- Braden Kauff
- Kaitlin King
- Hunter Leong
- Eric Levine
- Connor McDermott
- Brian McDonnell
- Hunter McIntosh
- Fotini Pappas
- George Roberts
- Katie Robinson
- Ava Rosen
- Bella Roy
- Sam Spiegle
- Katie Sturtevant
- Grace Sullivan
- Kendall Treco
- Emma Vigne
- Amelia Ward
Seniors
- Tess Bradshaw
- Nick Broadbent
- Matthew Casamento
- Allie Eith
- Jannik Elmer
- Marlo Joern Neske
- Andreas Thorsen
- Alexander Wellendorff
MBA/MSBA/MScM candidates
- James Alley
- Joshua Barrett
- Allie Creekmuir
- Andrea Doughty
- Bryan Howard
- Amanda Parrish
- Whytney Pickens
- Jasmine Suitt
- Roselee Papandrea-Taylor
Faculty
- Andrew Greenland
- Barjinder Singh
- Hani Tadros
Officers
- President & Advisor – Dean Raghu Tadepalli
- 2020-21 & 2021-22 Vice President – Meredith Mackenzie ’22
- 2019-20 & 2020-21 Vice President – Meghan Murray ’21
- 2021-22 Vice President – Nicole Dischinger ‘23
Previous Beta Gamma Sigma Professors of the Year
- 2020 – Adam Aiken and Brian Lyons
- 2019 – Hani Tadros
- 2018 – Steven Bednar
- 2017 – Patty Cox
- 2016 – Steve DeLoach
- 2015 – Jen Platania
- 2014 – Irana Scott
- 2013 – Raj Gupta
- 2012 – Linda Poulson