Beirut, Lebanon – The Beta Gamma Sigma chapter of the Olayan School of Business was formally launched at American University of Beirut (AUB) during ceremonies held at the Habib Aziz Maamari Auditorium on campus October 14, 2009.

The International Honor Society Beta Gamma Sigma recognizes academic excellence at the world’s top business schools – those accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Since its founding in 1913, the Society has established more than 480 collegiate chapters around the world and has inducted approximately 625,000 students into membership.

The installation ceremony included the presentation of the charter and the induction of three AUB faculty and staff members. Beta Gamma Sigma Installing Officer and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christie’s College of Business Dean Dr. Moustafa H. Abdelsamad presented AUB’s charter to Olayan College of Business Dean George K. Najjar and Dr. Hanin Abdallah, assistant dean of student services. Inducted faculty and staff included Dr. Abdallah, Tony Feghali, director, office of corporate relations, and honorary member Elias Khater, institutional research officer, Olayan School of Business.

Abdallah and Khater will serve as AUB’s Beta Gamma Sigma Chapter President and Chapter Advisor, respectively.

“The Olayan School of Business is honored to join Beta Gamma Sigma’s international society to promote business excellence,” said Dr. Abdallah. “Its global network and quest to bring together business and social objectives are aligned with our culture at the American University of Beirut. We are confident that our students and alumni will benefit from this opportunity as well as contribute to the advancement of the Society’s mission.”

Election to lifetime membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest honor a business student anywhere in the world can receive in an undergraduate (baccalaureate) or master’s (post-baccalaureate) program at a school accredited by AACSB International. Only students who rank in the upper 10 percent of their junior or senior class, the upper 20 percent of their graduating master’s class, or have completed all doctoral requirements are eligible for membership.

Beta Gamma Sigma membership provides lifetime recognition. This lifelong commitment to its members’ academic and professional success is defined in the Society’s mission: to encourage and honor academic achievement in the study of business, to foster personal and professional excellence, to advance the values of the Society, and to serve its lifelong members.