Clarksville, Ark. --- Collegiate honor societies have always been groups which encourage the students in their majors to excel, and Ozarks has several such groups. One of these is Nu Eta, the local chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the National Biological Honor Society.
Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta) is a society for students dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Since its founding in 1922, more than 200,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and more than 520 chapters have been established throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. It is divided into regional and district groups, each of which holds a convention annually. Awards are given for outstanding individual and chapter accomplishment.
Last night Tri-Beta inducted into its ranks its eight newest members: Colbey Russo, Jamie Faubion-Cook, Whitney Berg, Julie Wilkinson, Elizabeth Small, Bianca Cea, Alexa Holland, and Ariel Henderson These students have met the requirements for membership in the areas of grade point average (3.0), as well as service to discipline, university, and/or community.
“Well, making Tri-beta was a huge accomplishment for me,” said inductee Colbey Russo. “I started off rough my freshman year and to be in Tri-beta, an academic honored club, is such an honor. Achieving this goal is only the beginning. There are many more accomplishments in my life that I will achieve, and making Tri-Beta has motivated me to strive for them that much harder! I am just very honored and excited to be apart of Tri-Beta.”
Elizabeth Small agreed. “Tri-Beta is an amazing opportunity to be held responsible to yourself. It means so much to be honored like this. I have worked really hard getting to this point in my life, and it feels awesome to get a little recognition for it. There are so many medical professionals that are members or were members of some chapter of Tri-Beta. It is a well-known organization and it’s nice to know that I will most likely have something in common with future employers or employees. I feel really blessed.”
According to Tri-Beta faculty sponsor Dr. Sean Coleman, there were 17 members when Tri-Beta was chartered in 2005. We have an induction ceremony every spring. This spring we had eight inductees.” He added the local group tries to hold to the three main themes of the organization – first, to promote scholarship in the biological sciences; second, to promote the dissemination of biological knowledge; and third, to encourage research. “We try and do service projects every semester,” said Dr. Coleman. “It is one of my favorite things to see these young scientists inducted into such a prestigious honor society. We attend the regional convention every spring.”
The words spoken by the new members in their induction ceremony bond them as Biology majors, as scientists, and as students: “I hereby affirm that I will strive to promote and perpetuate the spirit and idealism of Beta Beta Beta. I will be true to its interest, mindful of its honor, and will help to accomplish its objectives. I will discharge faithfully my obligations to Nu Eta Chapter and to the Society.”
Inductee Julie Wilkinson perhaps said it best: “Tri-Beta Honors Society is dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of sciences and inspires its members to extend their boundaries of knowledge. With that in mind, it is an honor to be a member of such a reputable program with the hopes of extending boundaries of my own to contribute to the field of science.”
Nu Eta, the local chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the National Biological Honor Society inducted eight new members on Wednesday, March 1. Pictured (from left to right) are: Bianca Cea, Ariel Henderson, Alexa Holland, Colbey Russo, Elizabeth Small, Julie Wilkinson, and Jamie Faubion-Cook. Not pictured isWhitney Berg.
Topics: Academics