Contact: Maridith Geuder
For the fifth consecutive year, Mississippi State's business education honor society is among the best in the nation.
Ranked in the top 10 for the past four years, the university's chapter of Pi Omega Pi recently finished fourth in 2001 competition held in Atlanta, Ga. The 12-person MSU chapter finished eighth last year.
President Gina Tindall of Myrtle, vice president Tonya K. Redwine of Mooreville and historian Robert W. Dunnam of Blue Mountain, all seniors in the department of technology and education, were on hand to accept the chapter honor.
Founded in 1923 at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College, Pi Omega Pi promotes scholarship and service in business education. The 50-chapter organization is a member of the National Association of College Honor Societies.
"Because we had set a goal of ranking in the top five, this recognition is very exciting," said adviser Connie M. Forde. She, along with faculty colleague Judy Fleming, accompanied the students to Atlanta.
The MSU chapter was chartered in 1939 and is among the oldest honor societies on campus.
Forde said all chapters are eligible for the competition, which focuses on enhancing members' teaching skills and involvement with professional activities.
"Being a member of Pi Omega Pi is the highest honor an undergraduate student in business teacher education can achieve," she added.
To be offered membership, students must have maintained at least a 3.0 grade-point average (based on a 4.0 scale) and be ranked in the top 35 percent of their class.