Archived News | Return to News Center

March 8, 2012

ULM's Chi Beta Gamma honored as Organization of the Year

Chi Beta Gamma, the professional organization for radiological technologist majors at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, recently received the Organization of the Year Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Louisiana.

The ULM organization was honored with the award Feb. 16 at the Annual Wellspring Luncheon because of the hard work and generosity demonstrated by Chi Beta Gamma during a Christmas toy drive held at the end of 2011.

The award was presented by Jane Brandon, head of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

"We are so thankful to have such outstanding young people as those of Chi Beta Gamma who are committed to community service and especially our children," Brandon said.

"The Christmas gifts they donated made such a huge difference in the lives of our families!

"There are so many worthwhile organizations in our community and the needs of our children and families are great. The time, dedication, effort and compassion shown by these young people will serve them well in their chosen profession."

Brent Killins, Chi Beta Gamma vice president and philanthropy chairperson, expressed the organizations' mutual respect. "[Big Brothers Big Sisters] represent a very noble cause in making the lives of young people throughout Northeast Louisiana better. As members of this community, it is our civil duty to help those less fortunate than ourselves."

Chi Beta Gamma participates in multiple philanthropic events every year, but 2011 was the first year that Chi Beta Gamma had worked along with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

"I am very proud of these students as a group," said Jaclyn Verret Peters, Chi Beta Gamma faculty/staff advisor and assistant professor in the ULM Department of Radiologic Technology.

"This academic year, they have worked extremely hard to maintain the required high GPAs for the professional RADT program, have done necessary fundraising for professional development activities required by the program, and then made time to do numerous philanthropy projects over the year.

"In the past, most philanthropy projects have been for individuals or national or worldwide organizations. This year, the students wanted to impact the local community in a big way. In the end, I think that the students have gotten so much out of this experience because they were able to meet the organization and people that their efforts directly impacted."

Killins expressed Chi Beta Gamma's gratitude for the honor, but wished to clarify, "It is the people like Mrs. Brandon and organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters that deserve recognition. They dedicate their time everyday to do something that most of us forget to do in our busy lives, which is just to help someone in need."

Chi Beta Gamma members will work again with Big Brothers Big Sisters during the spring 2012 semester.

The organization will also host a school supply drive on the ULM campus April 2-6 to provide school supplies for the underprivileged in the area for the next school year.

"Chi Beta Gamma would love to see the whole campus get involved in aiding these young people do something we take for granted every day as students - go to school," Killins said.

Chi Beta Gamma encourages everyone on campus to become involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters by contacting Brandon at 318-323-9034 or via e-mail at jbrandon@wellspringalliance.org.

PLEASE NOTE: Some links and e-mail addresses in these archived news stories may no longer work, and some content may include events which are no longer relevent, or reference individuals and/or organizations no longer associated with ULM.