A team of accounting students representing the USI College of Business placed first in the “Involvement in Professional Organizations” category of “Best Practices” competition held during the Beta Alpha Psi Midwest Regional Meeting in Indianapolis.

The USI team included accounting majors Andrew Eddmenson, John Hayden, and May Flores. They are members of the USI chapter of Beta Alpha Psi which was chartered in spring 2006. Faculty advisors were Dr. Brian McGuire, professor of accounting and chair of the Department of Accounting and Business Law, and Dr. Mehmet Kocakulah, professor of accounting.

As winners of the regional competition, the USI chapter of Beta Alpha Psi received a $500 award to support future chapter activities. The team will compete August 2-4 at the national level at the 2007 Beta Alpha Psi Annual Meeting in Chicago.

The USI accounting students made a presentation on the topic of “Creating a Toastmasters’ Chapter,” using USI’s Speaking Eagles chapter of Toastmasters as the basis of their presentation. Organized in 1998, the USI chapter of Toastmasters gives students an opportunity to practice and enhance public speaking skills.

In the finals the USI team bested teams representing Ball State University, Bradley University, Grand Valley State University, Kent State University, and Western Illinois University-Quad Cities. Teams qualified for the finals based on abstracts submitted prior to the regional conference.

At the conference each team of finalists made a presentation to a three-member panel of professional accountants. The teams were required to present a plan to increase awareness and participation in professional organizations and discuss the impact made by the organization and its members or alumni.

The USI chapter of Beta Alpha Psi co-hosted the March 2-3 regional meeting along with Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame.

Beta Alpha Psi is an honor society available only to students enrolled in business schools accredited by AACSB International — the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The organization recognizes the outstanding achievement of students enrolled in accounting, finance, and computer information systems programs.