Beta Alpha Psi Earns Honors at Conference

By Jacqueline Molik Ghosen

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo School of Management’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi received several honors at the organization’s Atlantic Coast Regional Meeting in Providence, R.I., in March.

Beta Alpha Psi is an international financial information organization for students and professionals.

The School of Management’s Zeta Theta chapter placed in the top three in each of the three Best Practice case competitions sponsored by Deloitte. It was the only chapter in attendance to accomplish this feat.

A group of five School of Management juniors, Adetola Adegbite of Deer Park, Abigail Avery of Brockport, Sonia Chen of Queens, Erica Kelly of Johnstown and Brittany Schaub of East Aurora, took first place in the Best Practice case on “Enhancing our Role in Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility.” The students will represent the Atlantic Coast region at the 2011 Beta Alpha Psi National Meeting to be held in Denver from August 11-13.

During the chapter operations sessions of the conference, Zeta Theta chapter representatives gave a presentation to chapter representatives and faculty advisors on their award-winning Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for low-income families. The three co-chairs for UB’s 2011 VITA program, seniors Slaven Dreno of Rochester, Gilbert Cheng of Brooklyn and Beidi Wang of Elmhurst, shared details on running a successful program.

Over the past three years, School of Management student volunteers have prepared more than more than 1,700 tax returns, resulting in nearly $2 million in tax refunds, and the Zeta Theta chapter has been recognized by both Beta Alpha Psi and the IRS for this accomplishment.

The UB School of Management is recognized for its emphasis on real-world learning, community and economic impact, and the global perspective of its faculty, students and alumni. The school has been ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek, the Financial Times, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and The Wall Street Journal for the quality of its programs and the return on investment it provides its graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit mgt.buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB’s more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.