On March 11, 2015, the Omicron Phi chapter of Beta Beta Beta, inducted twenty regular members and five associate members into the nationally recognized biological honor society. In a ceremony that was held in the Marchant Center, new inductees pledged to uphold the three main objectives of Tri-Beta.
These objectives are to promote scholarship of the biological sciences, to promote the dissemination of biological knowledge and to encourage research.
Regular membership inductees had met the requirements of maintaining a 3.5 GPA, and having successfully completed 3 biology classes. These regular members are granted the benefits of applying for Tri-Beta scholarships, presenting at Tri-Beta conferences and wearing honor cords at graduation.
To become an associate member of Tri-Beta, one only has to have a passion for biological science. These members are allowed to attend national conferences, meetings and events.
Maya Eskridge, a nursing major who was inducted as a regular member, was encouraged by her biology professors and husband to join. To her, the major of nursing was a good fit in a society that promotes the sciences and research.
Eskridge, a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University, hopes to contribute her knowledge from working 10 years for a global medical relief organization to the SNU chapter of Tri-Beta. Eskridge stated, “By being a part of Tri Beta, I also hope to engage in learning and educational opportunities that will help me to grow and serve better in the field of nursing.”
President of the Omicron Phi Chapter, Bethany Calvert, sees Tri-Beta as a tool to promote the sciences at SNU as more than just words in a textbook. In answering the question of why Tri-Beta was important to SNU Calvert explained “It is important for students to know what their discipline holds for them…and that there’s more available to them than meets the eye.”
While Tri-Beta is growing every year, Calvert still thinks that there are a lot of people who are unaware of Tri-Beta, its benefits, and the fellowship that it provides for those that have a passion for science. Calvert hopes that by bringing in working scientists from the surrounding community for Tri-Beta events, members will not only gain knowledge but also networking opportunities.
If you would like more information on SNU’s Tri-Beta Chapter, you can contact faculty advisors Dr. Joanne Peterson ( jpeterso@mail.snu.edu) and Dr. Caroline Bentley cbentley@mail.snu.edu) or you can visit the Omicron Phi Chapter Facebook page.
[author image=”http://echo.snu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_6202.jpg”] David Peterson, Staff Contributor
David is a self-proclaimed movie snob and social vagabond of the obscure. In his spare time he enjoys referencing books that no one has read and watching movies that no one understands. It is rumored that his beard once poured sugar into the gas tank of Chuck Norris’s car.[/author]