Coastal Carolina University's chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society for collegiate business students, has been named a 2013 Gold Chapter in BGS's annual outstanding chapter competition. The gold chapter is the top honor that any chapter can receive.

This is the first time CCU's chapter has received this honor, which includes a $1,500 scholarship. There are 524 collegiate BGS chapters worldwide, but only 176 were eligible to compete.

"This is a tremendous honor for our college that could not have been possible without the support of our incredible members, student officers, advisers, administrators, faculty and staff over the years," said chapter advisers Kenneth Small and Cara Scheuer of CCU's E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration.

The annual competition provides an opportunity for BGS chapters from campuses across the world to compete for student scholarship money and to be recognized for outstanding chapter performance.

"It is truly an honor to be recognized as the best chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma in the world," says Ralph Byington, dean of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration. "All of the individuals connected with the Wall College should be proud of this recognition, as it is a testament to our high-quality academic programs, students and faculty."

Coastal Carolina University's BGS chapter was established in 1999. The chapter sponsors many programs and events every year, including academic and career development programs for students as well as community public service and philanthropic activities. The mission of the society is to encourage and honor academic achievement in the study of business and to recognize personal and professional excellence in the practice of business.