Tri-Beta Honor Society Inducts New Members

Written by Mr. Michael Craig, Natural Science Instructor

McPherson, Kansas – On April 14, 2021, the Iota Alpha Iota chapter of the Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta) Biological Honor Society held its annual induction ceremony and reception in honor of its new members. This year’s inductees, Allison Harper (CC ’22), Brandalyn Porter (CC ’22), and Christin Vetter (CC ’21), were welcomed into regular membership into Tri-Beta.

Installed on April 27, 2013, the Iota Alpha Iota chapter of Tri-Beta began with ten charter members including graduate members Mr. Michael Craig (current Natural Science Instructor) and Dr. Merril McHenry (retired CCCK Natural Science Instructor), and honorary member, Dr. Robin Jackson (retired CCCK Natural Science Instructor). The first faculty advisor of the chapter was Michael Craig who continues currently in this capacity.

Mr. Craig was excited to hold this ceremony inducting three of CCCK’s Natural Science students, saying,

It was a privilege to honor these three ladies by inducting them into Tri-Beta.  All three were eligible last year but the ceremony was cancelled due to COVID. It was great to have Dr. Jackson return and join us for the ceremony.

Members of the Iota Alpha Iota chapter currently serve in various biology-related fields nationwide.

Tri-Beta is an honor society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. It reserves its regular membership to those who achieve superior academic records and who indicate special aptitude for, and major interest in, the life sciences.

Tri-Beta was founded in 1922 at Oklahoma City University–the Alpha Chapter–by Dr. Frank G. Brooks and a group of his students. The idea of an honor and professional society for biology students spread rapidly and by 1925, the society was a national organization. Biennial national conventions of student and faculty members began in that year and in 1930 the society journal, BIOS, began publication of student research, articles of interest to biologists, and society news.

As the society grew, it was divided into regional and district groups, each of which holds a convention annually. At the heart of every district and national meeting are student research papers presented in the style of graduate meetings. Awards are given for outstanding individual and chapter accomplishments.

Since its founding in 1922, more than 200,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and more than 626 chapters have been established throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The honor society emphasizes a three-fold program: stimulation of scholarship, dissemination of scientific knowledge, and promotion of biological research.