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Beta Beta Beta: Best, Best, Best

The biology honor society of Southwestern College has been named the top chapter of its kind in the nation, the best among 425 chapters located at four- and two-year colleges and universities throughout the United States.

SC’s Beta Beta Beta chapter received the Lloyd M. Bertholf Chapter Award for its outstanding academic achievements and activities during the 2001-2002 school year. Advisor Pat Ross described the award as especially significant considering the relatively small size of the group.
Others chapters in the competition are major institutions such as Kansas State, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Emporia State.

“Although we are one of the smallest schools in our district, we have consistently had one of the largest delegations at our annual district conferences,” Ross says. “This past year, our students swept the research poster competition.”

Ross points out that the group’s 25 members have promoted outreach in the community, research, and scholarship, and as well as friendship:

  • Delta Chapter was involved in a number of activities that benefited the local community. For example, the annual Science Kids Day involved local grade school children who came to campus to witness a series of demonstrations (presented by chapter members) covering biology, chemistry, and physics.
  • The group invited student, faculty, and guest speakers to present topics including ecosystems, evolution, genes, enzymes, metals, and public health. Delegates of the Delta Chapter attended conventions in Steelville, Mo., and in San Antonio, Texas.
  • Students presented award-winning poster presentations at the annual Tri-Beta district convention. Rachel Copeland, Ali Wait, and Carina McGowan won all three of the top awards for the John C. Johnson research poster competition.
  • Social activities of the group included a pizza party and biology Pictionary tournament; the BBB movie night featuring a documentary (“Cane Toads: An Unusual History”), and an orientation session for biology students covering such topics as which faculty has the loudest clothing. The group also lost volleyball matches to both the science faculty and the business club, but won the Homecoming float competition.

Ali Wait, (president during the 2001-2002 year), described the chapter as one that reflects its home institution.

“ Southwestern College sets itself apart from other colleges through the interconnectedness of its students and professors; the same is true of our chapter,” Wait says. “The members of our group hang out together, study together, travel together, frequently eat together, and in the common case of roommates, live together.”

Biology is one of the largest academic major groups at Southwestern College and has a distinguished tradition at the school. Lloyd Bertholf, for whom the Beta Beta Beta award is named, was a Southwestern alumnus and is a member of the SC Natural Science Hall of Fame. Bertholf died this year at age 103.

Photos: (top) Shown above are chapter members (l. to r.) advisor Pat Ross, Luke Vierthaler, Aron Fast, Casey Dreitz, Carina McGowan, Bret Bement, Elda Perales, Railynn Adelhardt, Margo Straub, Kari Good, and Kristi Weaver. (left) Aron Fast, junior from Hesston, carries the "votes" (plastic bottles) cast in Tri-Beta's recent ecology focus contest. The activity represents Tri-Beta's active role on campus, a role that led to its being named oustanding chapter in the nation.

Krug Accepts Top Finance Post at SC

Sheila R. Krug has been named vice president for finance at Southwestern College. As the top business officer of the college, she now oversees budgeting, forecasting and planning, investments, accounting, and control, as well as human resources. She serves on the president’s administrative council.

Krug had been controller at the college since 2001, and was an auditor for Ernst and Young LLP in Kansas City, Mo., before joining the SC administration.
She received a master of professional accountancy from Wichita State University where she graduated with high honors.

“ We were pleased to have someone of Sheila’s ability to promote into this position,” says President Dick Merriman. “During difficult economic times, it is crucial to have needed information readily available, and Sheila’s mastery of the budgeting and finance processes are proving invaluable.”

Leadership Through Service
SC’s 2003 Retirees

Ruth Archambeau, campaign coordinator, SC staff since 1976. Other positions at SC: institutional advancement office assistant, management of alumni programs, director of development. David Nichols, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty, Southwestern College administrator/faculty member since 1978. Other positions at SC: vice president for development; chairperson, division of management; professor of social science and business. Sharon Shetlar Taylor, professor of nursing, SC faculty since 1986. Other positions at SC: director of assessment, associate dean of faculty. Bill Stephens, director of athletics, SC faculty since 1969. Other positions at SC: Basketball coach (total of 11 years); tennis, football, and golf coach.