By Lauren F. Carlson, ‘12

“We don’t have a huge chapter,” said Associate Professor of Business Administration Kristel Heinz-Ciullo of Sigma Beta Delta (SBD), the International Honor Society in business, management, and administration. Heinz-Ciullo, who initiated the Aquinas chapter in 2004 and now serves as advisor, is excited to discuss the SBD’s national leadership academy and highlight one particular student who represented the group and Aquinas College at the event. John Broderick, Senior Resident Assistant and member of the society, demonstrates the organization’s high standards through his record of academic achievement and extracurricular activities. On January 20-23, 2011, he traveled to San Diego to meet with fellow members at the first annual Sigma Beta Delta conference.

The Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society developed the three-day leadership academy in order to cultivate viable community service ideas to be utilized across the country. Students from the chapters in Germany, Afghanistan, and across the United States were invited to brainstorm project ideas.

Though in the past, Heinz-Ciullo said, SBD was “strictly a recognition society,” the conference was designed to create active members and chapters and thus, represent more than a high G.P.A. Of the 25 participants, five teams were created and charged with the task. Projects such as aiding the homeless through job placement and supporting women in Afghanistan overcome cultural obstacles were presented to the SBD board on Friday evening. When put to a vote, Broderick’s team had developed the winning idea.

In order to implement positive business strategies and support their communities, Broderick’s team focused on a prevalent issue in today’s market. The project included organizing financial literacy classes in low income regions to help those struggling with late payments and overwhelming debt. The tools for better living will thus result in long-term effects in each community. Of the service-oriented project ideas, Broderick explains that in a business and accounting organization, “that message sometimes gets lost.” The central focus on service at the event, therefore, was “pleasantly surprising.”

After traveling to San Diego and meeting with fellow SBD members, John said, “It was definitely helpful.” As the members of the honor society look forward to the future, the board members hope to convey an active, service learning message, in addition to academic recognition. The conference also brought students together to create a network of future leaders.

“I really believe that every student at the conference left with a renewed sense of gratitude and a passion for helping those in our communities,” said Broderick, of the fellow students, and now friends, made during the leadership academy. As he looks forward to his own future in business and accounting after graduation this spring, Broderick would like to thank Professor Heinz-Ciullo and the Aquinas chapter of SBD for the opportunity to learn more about the organization and share his ideas with fellow future business professionals.