Gamma Beta Phi makes an impact

Georgia College & State University’s chapter of Gamma Beta Phi inducted 56 members Jan. 30 for the upcoming year.

Gamma Beta Phi, an honor and service organization, is located in 18 states with 140 chapters and over 100,000 members. GC&SU’s chapter was founded in 1982 and was active for 10 years. After eight years of dormancy, Teresa Taylor reactivated the organization in 2000. Taylor is the service learning coordinator for the Experiential Learning Department and serves as chapter advisor for Gamma Beta Phi.

“I felt like with my job it was a really good fit. It is very exciting for me to be involved with the lives of students,” said Taylor.

The requirements for the organization prove it to be an elite attraction. A 3.5 GPA is required, 15 community service hours, 10 of which are devoted to Gamma Beta Phi and 6 of the 8 yearly meetings must be attended. Students are also held to a point system, based on their involvement in fundraisers, socials and service projects.

Gamma Beta Phi’s mission statement is “to recognize and encourage excellence in education, to promote the development of leadership ability and character in its members, and to foster, disseminate and improve education through appropriate service projects.”

The three service projects are set up each year by the student executive board and overseen by Taylor.

“We have individual projects and group projects that we have to complete each year,” said Taylor. “We are looking forward to what the officers will bring for this year.”

Senior Erin Semple currently serves the chapter as vice president and handles publicity.

“Each of our members is required to do 15 hours of service each year. Through these hours, we help many of those in need. We do service projects like Relay for Life and the Potato Drop. Each of us are dedicated to making a difference,” said Semple.

Gamma Beta Phi is based around the betterment of students and the lives they impact. After only two years Taylor has seen the impact made on students.

“I’ve seen them grow individually, as a person, to become much more engaged in the community and in the lives of their fellow members. They have developed a genuine interest in serving others,” said Taylor.

Senior J.W. Mozley serves as treasurer and is involved with the recent changes made to Gamma Beta Phi.

“We have seen changes taking place already, giving an honor scholarship and increasing the requirements through extra hours and meetings,” said Mozley.

For more information on Gamma Beta Phi contact Teresa Taylor at 445-5772 or at ttaylor@gcsu.edu.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 14 2003. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry