Students inducted into Tri Beta Biological Society
On Friday, April 27, Tony Schountz, the district director of the Western Region of the Beta Beta Beta Biological Society, installed the Phi Rho Chapter at UCDHSC. The Tri Beta National Biological Honor Society has three objectives: to promote undergraduate research in the biological sciences, to promote the dissemination of biological knowledge and to promote scholarship in the biological sciences. The society is open to students who have successfully completed one year of general biology and one upper division biology course while maintaining a 3.0 grade point average in biology. The biology department encourages all students interested in research to participate in the society.
The society was founded in 1922 and has over 175,000 members and 430 chapters nationwide. In addition to publishing the BIOS journal which focuses on student research, the society sponsors annual regional and national scientific meetings. A benefit to Tri Beta student members is their eligibility to apply for research grants from the national office.
The induction ceremony included a short welcome speech by Dr. Schountz, followed by the lighting of the candles and a recitation of the pledge of the society. The motto of Tri Beta, which is inscribed on the shield, is Blepein Basin Biou. It means “to see the foundation of life.”
“The biology department is very excited to have been awarded a charter from Tri Beta,” said Michele Engel, one of the faculty advisors. “We hope to have a vibrant active chapter.” Any students or faculty interested in joining the society should contact her for more information at michele.engel@cudenver.edu or at 303-556-2593.
The charter members of the Phi Rho Chapter of Tri Beta are students Anjuli Kramer (president), Jessica Martin (vice-president), Jason Persichetti (Treasure), Janelle Lynn (historian), Sara Sirivanchai, Christine Helfer, and professors Diana Tomback, Michael Green, Leo Bruederle (advisor) and Michele Engel (advisor).