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The alumni committee had the privilege to organise an informal dinner with the Vice President of Beta Gamma Sigma, Dean George Stevens on 5 December 2007 during his business trip to Hong Kong. In addition, we have the honor to invite the representatives of a new collegiate chapter (City University of Hong Kong), Dr. Mary Pang, the Assistant Dean of faculty of business and her associate, Anita Chan, to join the dinner. Mary shared with us her journey in setting up the collegiate chapter and her expectations on the inductees from the City University while Dr. Stevens shared with us his insight of being a BGS member and his principles and passions in educating the next generation. We had a fruitful discussion on the cooperation between the collegiate chapter, the alumni chapter and also the BGS central office. We have asked Dr. Stevens to leave us some remarks to our members in Hong Kong and I would like to quote that below: "BGS is very, very special to me. I first became associated with BGS when I was a doctoral student at my alma mater, Kent State. The dean, Dr. Gail Mullin, really supported our student organizations. He took great pride in BGS. He believed that our students who achieved academic excellence deserved special recognition. He knew that the business school was quite difficult. Dean Mullin, and later Dean Stan Hille, who succeeded him, elevated BGS above all others. In part, he did so because much of the college’s student leadership were members and leaders of other student organizations but no matter how busy they were or how involved, they maintained their grades, were well rounded, and participated in just about everything. BGS was very special to me because at the undergraduate level we did not have an AACSB business school. I could not join. When the opportunity came later. I jumped at the chance. I was and amazed when I was invited to serve on BGS’s Board. We have many, many outstanding people who are qualified to serve. The board members, I have learned are so dedicated to the organization. Each of us gives of our time, talent, and treasures in support of the organization. I have gotten to know Jim Viehland and Vicki Klutts very well. You can’t imagine what their dedication, leadership, and institutional memory does for all the people they serve. They are two of the most thoughtful and caring people I have ever met. Beta Gamma Sigma has been their life work. Now, as an officer of the organization, I have learned even more. With Vicki and Jim’s guidance I even been trusted to do some installations and inductions! The organization faces its challenges as our world changes. The competition is keen as folks noted at the dinner. Students have many options and have heard little about BGS before they receive an invitation to join. We must get the word out. As I visit business schools all over the world for accreditation purposes, I plant the BGS seed. I will induct my third or fourth school soon where I was the team chair of the accreditation team. Vicki and Jim have persuaded the AACSB to help us get the word out to erspective newly accredited schools. The cameraderie of the BGS people is one of the most special things about the organization. I have attached sessions of the Student Leadership Forum and watched people learn, develop, and grow right before my eyes. Board meetings are structured and well planned but we can break out of that structure to laugh at ourselves or acknowledge that we face great opportunities (how do we capitalize) and potential challenges (how do we anticipate)."
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