Mercer University's Stetson School of Business and Economics has been approved to start a chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the premier international honor organization for financial information students and professionals.

"Mercer's petition to form a chapter of Beta Alpha Psi represents a major step forward in the mission to offer career-focused education to our business students," said Dr. Susan Perles Gilbert, dean of the School of Business and Economics.

"Acceptance into Beta Alpha Psi is often accompanied by increased presence of major accounting and financial services firms in our recruiting, improved networking within the profession, and recognition for our excellent students, who graduate with a rigorous and relevant undergraduate degree."

Stephanie Morris, accounting lecturer, will serve as faculty adviser for the chapter, which will receive its chapter name as part of an upcoming installation ceremony.

The chapter has elected its first group of officers, which includes President Will Childress of Fayetteville, Georgia; Vice President Ashley Smith of Musella, Georgia; Treasurers Ruth Francis of Ludowici, Georgia, and Steffiny Kallickal of Marietta, Georgia; and Secretary Danielle Jones of Atlanta, Georgia.

Beta Alpha Psi has more than 300 chapters on college and university campuses with over 300,000 members initiated since the organization was founded in 1919.

The primary objective of Beta Alpha Psi is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the business information field by promoting the study and practice of accounting, finance and information systems; providing opportunities for self-development, service and association among members and practicing professionals; and encouraging a sense of ethical, social and public responsibility.