In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beta Alpha Psi Eta Iota chapter at FIU Business continued its remarkable record of excellence, capturing the organization’s Gold Chapter Status for the eighth consecutive year.

The honor was announced at the national Beta Alpha Psi virtual meeting, held on Thursday August 6, 2020 via Zoom. The moment was captured in the executive board’s joyous celebration.

The Gold Chapter recognition put the FIU chapter in 2020’s elite group of 10, out of a total of approximately 350 worldwide.

Judges granted the distinction after the chapter repeated its Superior status, becoming eligible to produce a video about its accomplishments to win Gold. Incoming fall 2020 president Maria Fernandez spearheaded the production of the video, which was put together remotely during the pandemic. Showcasing members of the executive board, the video detailed the extent of chapter involvement in professional development, community service and member support, with an approach that also reflected on the chapter’s history as it detailed setting records in many categories in spite of the pandemic.

“I wanted to showcase all we do in a creative way that honors our history,” said Fernandez, a senior majoring in accounting and business analytics.

Jimmy Carmenate, Beta Alpha Psi faculty advisor since 2009 and clinical assistant professor of accounting, praised students for striving to maintain the chapter’s tradition of excellence in spite of the pandemic. He noted that chapter’s programming for members has evolved with the demands of profession, with the development of training in data analytics training and other in-demand knowledge sought by accounting and finance firms.

“This is a self-motivated group, committed to engagement,” said Carmenate, a past national Advisor of the Year honoree.

For fall, the Beta Alpha Psi executive board is already working on how to transition many of the chapter’s activities into the virtual space, including its professional presentations.

“We’ve been preparing all summer, doing a lot of research on how to best use Zoom in the fall semester,” Fernandez said. “We’re going ahead with a full set of programs and we’re really excited.”

Founded in 1919, Beta Alpha Psi is an honor organization for financial information students and professionals. There are over 300 chapters on college and university campuses with over 300,000 members initiated since Beta Alpha Psi’s formation.