The Gamma Beta Phi honor society will induct 260 new members into its ranks
on April 9.
The honor society inducts about 250 new members every spring semester. The
students, who are invited to membership during their sophomore year, must
have completed at least 15 hours of college credit and be in the top 15
percent of their class.
Ashish Soni, president, said members serve as representatives of UT and are
credits to the community.
“The three things the honor society holds in esteem are character,
scholarship and service,” he said. “We’re one of the more active honor
societies on campus, and it brings out a better name for the
university.”
To remain a member, each student must pay dues, remain in the top 25
percent of his or her class, and perform a number of service projects each
semester.
J. Larry Wilson, adviser of the UT chapter, said the campus and community
service aspect is an important part of membership.
“We let them know up front, it’s not just paying your fee and getting a
nice certificate,” he said. “A commitment to service is what we’re really
all about.”
Recent GBP projects have included helping the Ronald McDonald House,
Orange/Blue Blood Drive (co-sponsored with Medic), and “February at
Farragut Primary School.”
Gamma Beta Phi members painted Farragut Elementary School in February after
becoming aware that funds would not be available to the school for such a
renovation for several years. The project received so many GBP participants
that it was completed ahead of schedule.
Each member is awarded a certain number of points for each service project
completed. A total of nine points per semester are required to stay in good
standing.
“Each student is invited to participate in service to campus, community,
and the country, really, because we have national projects also,” Wilson
said.
Gamma Beta Phi was instituted nationally in 1964 with the UT chapter
founded in 1965-66. There are currently almost 670 members on the UT
campus.
This year’s induction will feature Chancellor Bill Snyder as guest
speaker.
