On April 3, 2024, the Farmingdale State College chapter of the Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society for Business, Management, and Administration welcomed its 25th induction class to the chapter’s membership rolls. The Farmingdale State College chapter was established in 1999 and has now inducted 1394 student members. In order to qualify, students must have a cumulative GPA in the top 20% among majors in Business Management, Global Business Management, Business Analytics, and Sport Management. Students also must have earned at least 30 credits at Farmingdale State College, and they must hold at least Junior status (60 credits). This year’s class consisted of 48 society honorees. It is notable that this year’s pool of eligible students was smaller than usual because the Computer Systems Department has been moved from the School of Business to the School of Engineering Technology in an organizational restructuring.

In addition to students, 30 faculty and staff have been inducted as honorary members of Sigma Beta Delta over the years. This year was particularly special, as Dr. John Nader, the ninth President of Farmingdale State College, was inducted as an honorary member. Dr. Nader, who retired from FSC after eight years of dynamic leadership, has been extremely supportive of Sigma Beta Delta, attending many induction ceremonies over his tenure. This year, Dr. Nader recited the induction pledge along with the students, and he proudly wore his Sigma Beta Delta honor stole at the 2024 Spring Commencement exercises in May.

Dr. Nader also addressed the audience and his fellow inductees, and he was joined in making remarks by Dr. Richard Vogel, Dean of the School of Business, and Dr. Nanda Viswanathan, Assistant Dean and Chair of the Department of Business Management. Dr. Christopher LaBarbera, Assistant Provost of Farmingdale State College, and Dr. Michael Fraina, Chair of the Department of Sport Management, were also in attendance. The ceremony was led by Dr. Martin Lewison, Associate Professor of Business Management and the Faculty President of the chapter. He was assisted by Dr. Mary Villani, Professor of Computer Systems, and Professor Chad Lupinacci of Business Management.  
Assistance for Sigma Beta Delta’s induction was provided by Linda McKee in Administrative Computing, the Office of Events Management and the Custodial and Facilities staff, Shelly Portnoy at ASC, University Police, Lisa Baio in the Registrar’s Office, Aramark, the staff of the Campus Center, Dean Richard Vogel, and Corrina Magno in the Dean’s Office.

The Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society for Business, Management, and Administration was originally founded in 1994. The mission of the society is to encourage and recognize scholarly accomplishment among students of business, management, and administration, and to encourage and promote aspiration toward personal and professional improvement, and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind. Membership in Sigma Beta Delta is granted for life, and privileges include access to mentorship and internship programs, annual scholarships, and a broad network of student and alumni members.