Prof. Joel Hochman (L), with Milano
Prof. Joel Hochman (L), with MilanoYeshiva University

Twenty-nine students at Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business were joined by their parents and faculty in Belfer Hall to celebrate their induction into the school’s inaugural chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS).

Established over a century ago, Beta Gamma Sigma is a scholastic honor society for students who have shown exceptional academic achievement in the study of business. For a business school to have a BGS Society, it must be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which Sy Syms earned in 2013.

Explaining that the Greek letters beta, gamma and sigma represent “honor,” “wisdom” and “earnestness,” Sy Syms Dean Moses Pava pointed out how fitting it was for the school to be connected to BGS and its values: “These virtues have a pride and place in Judaism—we have been talking about them for thousands of years,” he said.

The event’s featured speaker was Bernard Milano, the president of  the KPMG Foundation and the secretary and treasurer of BGS. Milano explained that only around 5 percent of the 1200 business schools worldwide are AACSB-certified. “To be in Beta Gamma Sigma, you must be in the top 10 percent of your school, which must be in the top 5 percent of all business schools,” said Milano. “You are the best business students, from the best business schools. It’s an honor you have earned, and an honor you have worked hard to achieve—embrace that.”

Talia Eisenmann, mother of Moishi Eisenmann ’16SB, flew from their native Holland to watch her son receive his award. As he posed for a picture, she said, “I am very proud of him.”

Students were equally excited to become lifetime members of BGS, looking forward to the many opportunities it will afford them. “A big advantage of being a part of BGS is the fact that they have such a huge network around the world and you can make tons of connections with all these interesting people,” said Steven Glatt ’16SB.