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Durham
Technical Community College
The Gamma Beta Phi Society |
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| What is Gamma Beta Phi? |
| The GAMMA BETA PHI Society is an honor and service
organization for students in colleges and universities in the United States.
It is non-secret, non-profit, and co-educational; and membership therein
does not exclude a student from membership in any other organization. |
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Gamma is the initial letter of the Greek word
meaning education;
Beta is the initial letter of
the word meaning life;
Phi is the initial letter
of the word for friendship.
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Thus the three letters designating the name of the organization
signify that education and friendship constitute the basis of a full and
happy life.
The motto of GAMMA BETA PHI is "Progress per Eruditionem"; its watchwords
are "Scholarship," "Service," and "Character," and
its colors are "Gold" and "Ebony." |
| When was Gamma Beta Phi instituted? |
| GAMMA BETA PHI was incorporated on March 22, 1964, by a group of
college educators. It was chartered as an eleemosynary-educational organization under the
laws of South Carolina on April 27, 1964. It was granted complete tax-exempt status by the
U.S. Treasury on May 5, 1966. Dr. John Harris, founder of the BETA CLUB, served as
GAMMA BETA PHI's Executive Secretary from 1964 to 1974. Dr. Aaron Todd, professor of
chemistry at Middle Tennessee State University, led the organization from 1974 to 1985.
In the spring of 1985, the National Senate elected Mr. W.R. McCauley to complete the remaining
term of Dr. Aaron Todd's office when family health problems dictated that Dr. todd relinquish
his position as National Secretary-Treasurer. Mr. McCauley served the Society from 1985 to
July 31, 1989, and Mrs. Mary Alice Parrish served the Society from August 1, 1989,
to July 31, 1993. Mrs. Maragret C. McCauley was elected National Executive Director in the
fall of 1984, and again in 1992, and continues in this leadership position. At the 1994 NEC
Summer Meeting, Mr. Jim D. McNutt was hired as the National Business Manager. The Society's
Headquarters Office is located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
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| What is Gamma Beta Phi's Objectives? |
| The objectives of THE GAMMA BETA PHI SOCIETY as stated in its
Constitution are to recognize and encourage excellence in education, to promote the
development of leadership ability and character in its members, and to foster, disseminate,
and improve education through appropriate service projects. Each chapter implements these
objectives by procedures consonant with the local situation and in cooperation with the
faculty and administration.
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| Membership Eligibility |
Students invited into membership in THE GAMMA BETA PHI SOCIETY
must be committed to excellence in education, to good character, and to service. The
student must be enrolled in a program leading to an associate, bachelor, or graduate
degree, must have completed at least twelve credit hours of college work and have a
scholastic ranking within the top 20% of his/her class. (At local option this may be
raised as high as 10%.) Graduate students must have completed at least twelve credit
hours of graduate work. Any additional qualifications for membership imposed by the
local chapter must be approved by the National Senate.
The Constitution specifies that induction ceremonies will be dignified.
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| Membership Benefits |
Recognition and publicity are primary benefits of membership in any
honor society. GAMMA BETA PHI is not just an honor society, and hence members
enjoy, as well, the satisfaction of active participation in meaningful service projects
and camaraderie with other honor students.
Tangible benefits of membership include a first-class certificate of membership, two decals,
and a copy of the Constitution. Upon notification from the chapter, graduates in good standing
in the chapter receive a small, beautiful seal to affix to their diploma. Copies of the GAMBET
are sent to the chapters for distribution to the members at meetings.
Membership is completely transferable (without any further national fee)
to any other college or university where a chapter exists. All members are
invited to both State and National Conventions each year. We also have an
active Alumni Association. Jewelry, t-shirts, pennants, etc., are available
to all members at the wholesale, bulk cost, plus shipping costs.
GAMMA
BETA PHI is a growing, active, first-class organization. We have built
a national reputation, and you can be justly proud of membership. |
| Government |
GAMMA BETA PHI is a self-governing organization. Each Chapter sends
delegates to the annual State and National Conventions. The National Senate, made up of an
Advisor and a student from each chapter, is the legal and controlling agency of the organization.
Within the circumference of national policy, each chapter of the Society institutes its own
local Bylaws governing matters of operational procedures, regulations, and membership qualifications.
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| Extent of Organization |
| As of June 30, 1996, there are 85 chapters of THE GAMMA BETA PHI SOCIETY
in sixteen states, with approximately 40,000 members.
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