Skip to main content
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Search

Full Article

Visit Apply Give

Beta Alpha Psi Chapter Ranks Second at Regional Convention

Nine students representing the UNL Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) chapter presented at the BAP Regional Convention held March 27-28 in St. Louis, Missouri. Two teams competed in two out of three of the best practices topic competitions. Each team ranked second overall and will attend the BAP Annual Convention in August.
 
The effective operations team members included Amy Demers, senior accounting major from Blair, Nebraska; April Kalinski, 2014 accounting graduate and graduate student from Omaha, Nebraska; Brian Klintworth, senior accounting major from Seward, Nebraska; Melody Rickert, May 2015 accounting graduate from Lincoln, Nebraska; and Megan Rudolph, senior accounting major from Lincoln. The financial literacy team included Zach Lundak, junior finance major from Lincoln; Andrew McIntosh, junior accounting major from Papillion, Nebraska; Kyja Omdahl, May 2015 accounting graduate from Fargo, North Dakota; and Aaron Powell, senior finance major from Cheyenne, Wyoming.
 
BAP team
BAP students in St. Louis
Both of the UNL teams created unique programs that promote business and accounting knowledge and help build communities. Rickert, BAP president and member of the effect operations team, shares how her team created and implemented the leadership project BAP Gives Back.
 
“BAP Gives Back is a community service project where BAP students have the opportunity to use their network ties to give back and build unity in the community,” Rickert said. “It is a great way for our members to build their leadership and communication skills and get involved.”
 
The financial literacy team used media to promote accounting and teach others about accounting practices. BAP members showed a video and presented at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center about financial literacy as a way to increase awareness and knowledge about creating smart accounting habits in personal budgets.
 
Each team ranked second in their individual topic competitions out of six different competing schools. Along with the best practices competitions, students also participated in workshops, presentations and networking opportunities at the BAP regional convention.
 
“The BAP regional convention created an atmosphere that made it easy to interact with other BAP chapters. This was a great way to learn what other chapters are doing to increase membership and unity as well as the activities they host to prepare students for their careers in accounting,” Rickert said.
 
Deb Cosgrove, associate professor of practice in accounting and BAP advisor, assisted students as they developed the strategic plan and prepared to present their findings. As a mentor, she also traveled with the students to the regional convention in St. Louis, Missouri.
 
“Deb was a positive coach and mentor to us. One of the greatest things she taught us throughout this process is you get out what you put in,” Rickert said. “This philosophy helped me strive to work hard in my leadership, group work and presentation skills so that I could gain the most out of this experience.”
Published: May 14, 2015