UMSL students (from left) Abby Burrows, Cyn Mungai and David Farnham “arrest” a suspect as part of the IRS-CI’s Citizen Academy in September. This was just one of dozens of events sponsored by Beta Alpha Psi every school year. (Photo by Derik Holtmann)
Earning recognition as a Gold chapter in Beta Alpha Psi, an honor society for accounting, finance and information systems, is not necessarily a simple challenge, no matter how easy the accounting faculty and students at the University of Missouri–St. Louis might make it seem.
For the 29th time since the UMSL chapter, Gamma Psi, was formed in 1972, the group was awarded Gold status (formerly called Superior) after not just meeting but exceeding the requirements in the 2023-24 school year. UMSL’s Beta Alpha Psi students participated in 10 professional events and six community service events, along with 11 “reaching out” events involving other student organizations at UMSL and Beta Alpha Psi chapters at other universities.
Beta Alpha Psi President Patricia Poli sent Shu Schiller, the dean of UMSL’s College of Business Administration, the official announcement on Sept. 24. Part of that letter stated:
Under the exceptional leadership of Johnna Murray, the chapter has earned international recognition as a Gold chapter, an accomplishment that speaks volumes about the dedication and excellence of your department.
This honor, accompanied by a $500 award, is graciously sponsored by KPMG LLP and the KPMG Foundation. Under the inspiring stewardship of these faculty advisors, your chapter has far exceeded Beta Alpha Psi’s baseline requirements, excelling in academics, professionalism, and ethical leadership.
“Gold status demonstrates the societal impact, the significant achievement of our students,” Schiller said.
Murray joined UMSL’s accounting department in 2000 and was always impressed with the leadership and dedication shown by the school’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter. When she took over as faculty advisor, she was determined to keep the legacy growing. Mission accomplished. In her 11 years at the helm, Gamma Psi has been awarded Gold status 10 times and Distinguished status once.
“Beta Alpha Psi plays a critical role assisting students in launching their career, bringing various constituencies together (students, faculty, practitioners, etc.) and creating a very important niche in the UMSL accounting ecosystem,” said Thomas Kozloski, the Accounting Department chair. “The students in Beta Alpha Psi are talented and energetic and motivated to succeed. These qualities make the chapter critical to the overall success of the department and a vital leader in that success. Johnna and her student team are amazing!”
For Murray, the recognition is validation of all the work and dedication of Gamma Psi’s candidates and members. The chapter’s goal is not just to provide accounting students a sense of community while they’re enrolled at UMSL, but to get students looking forward to myriad career options available to them while taking classes.
“We promote ideas for careers in business that may not have been on students’ radar, like working with the IRS-Criminal Investigations for Citizens Day,” Murray said. “Beta Alpha Psi strives to create connections for students with our Professional Skills Seminar where students got advice about their resume or practice interviewing with recruiters. We also hosted Accountants’ Networking Night with 32 firms and over 70 students in attendance. Candidates and members got the chance to put their resume in our resume book which was distributed to all the firms in attendance.”
The officers for the 2024-25 school year are: Clayton Fair (president), Will Morton (co-vice president), Nicole Mullins (co-vice president), Shiori Kaji (treasurer) and Liliana Ng (SGA representative).
“Our officers do such a great job,” Murray said, “all while juggling assistantships, internships, jobs, families and school.”
In order for the chapter to reach Gold status, all members, not just leadership, are required to participate in a set number of events.
“Since Beta Alpha Psi is an honors organization, our students can distinguish themselves by being a member,” Murray said. “We are part of a national organization, so firms understand the commitment it takes to become a member. It is always nice to see graduating seniors walk across the stage with their Beta Alpha Psi honor cords or stoles.”
Beta Alpha Psi, which was founded in 1919, includes more than 340 chapters. UMSL’s Gamma Psi was the 92nd chapter to join. Maintaining the tradition of success is important.
“We have a book that every member, except for some during the pandemic, has signed,” Murray said. “It is great for new members to look through the book when they are initiated and see names of Beta Alpha Psi alumni like Warner Baxter, Mike Deniszczuk, Sandra Van Trease, Audrey Katcher, Stacey Massa and many others including Professor Steve Moehrle. Our students are eager to follow their example.”
Murray said that students interested in joining Beta Alpha Psi can find the group on TritonConnect.
