HUGHESVILLE, Md. — The College of Southern Maryland inducted a record 41 business students into its Delta Phi chapter of Kappa Beta Delta, the international honor society for business programs, during a ceremony at the Regional Hughesville Campus on Thursday, April 23.
The induction marked the largest class in the history of the CSM chapter. Kappa Beta Delta is open exclusively to business students who rank in the top 20 percent of their class and who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and professional promise. With about 160 chapters across the country, the society provides members with significant networking, mentorship and support opportunities.
Professor Christopher Ripley, CSM’s Kappa Beta Delta faculty advisor, said he is proud to see student participation in the program continue to grow.
“This is a great thing,” Ripley said. “It shows that students see the value of Kappa Beta Delta, that it can help them in the future, and they’re taking advantage of it.”
CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson encouraged the inductees to continue their journey as lifelong learners and to view this moment as a steppingstone rather than a finish line.
“Success is defined by what you do with it and how you use if for a greater good,” Dr. Wilson said. “I hope you take away from CSM more than the classes but the core values we represent. That includes treating others with dignity and respect, and using the knowledge and expertise you have gained to better the communities in which you live and serve.”
To host a chapter of Kappa Beta Delta, a school must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs. Accredited programs are required to go through a reaffirmation cycle every ten years, a rigorous process to evaluate an institution’s high academic standards and program quality, and strong faculty credentials. CSM completed its cycle in March for its accounting, business administration, and business management degree programs.
Interim Business Department Chair Dr. Kandace Foreman acknowledged the determination it required for students to overcome the challenging programs.
“You stood the test,” Dr. Foreman said. “It’s hard for a reason. We’re trying to instill in you the values and the excellence that you need to go on to the next phase of your journey. It was challenging but you made it.”
The CSM chapter of Kappa Beta Delta is generously sponsored by Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, which covers the costs for students to join. Representative Tony Carroll said this partnership is a testament to the shared mission of empowering students with practical education and resources to build a strong financial foundation.
“CSM is more than an institution of higher learning, it’s a gateway to opportunity, workforce development, and community advancement,” Carroll said. “We believe that if individuals are equipped with the right financial tools and knowledge, they are better positioned to succeed academically, professionally, and personally.”
The following CSM students were inducted into the honor society: Sara Agor, Amy Argueta, Bridgette Ash, Brittany Bagley, Katherine Bennett, Dayton Bishop, Abdul Butt, Olivia Caparratto, Ikesha Cloutterbuck, Dylan Colliflower, Evan Davis, Fatemeh Ezami, Pamela Farias Aguilar, Sharita Ford, Alexa Garcia, Charlene Jones, Eleanora Jones, Tara Keenan, Gabrielle Kenny, Mark Lovecchio, Matthew Loveless, Thomas Milling, DaSiyah Parker, Rouge Lorenz Parmis, Jadyn Pefley, Roman Ramirez, Carina Reed, Courtney Rich, Arezo Saboor, Chayse Savoy, Lucas Shepard, Imani Spencer, Jaylah Stephenson, Sanaa Thomas, Semaj Thomas, Lindy Tomasello, Ariana Tyson, Alayla Vaughan, Marvin Washington, Leah Washington, Anneliza Yarbrough.
The milestone induction highlights the strength of CSM’s business programs and the college’s ongoing commitment to recognizing and supporting high-achieving students in Southern Maryland.
