Gamma Beta Phi Grows Its Numbers, Hosts Fundraiser for New Women’s Homeless Shelter

Gamma Beta Phi, the honor society at Beaufort County Community College, inducted 64 new members into its organization on February 27. The group continued its growth, with a 28 percent increase over the previous year, even as admission requirements have grown more rigorous. Members of the honor society must not only achieve academic success, they also take on projects that build an economically resilient community

This year, the group raised $1343 for the Zion’s Men’s Shelter and Kitchen, helping the organization to rebuild after Hurricane Florence flooded its building. Gamma Beta Phi held a walk-a-thon and sold hot chocolate to raise the funds, which helped the Zion’s Shelter continue renovations and purchase new equipment as all of the walls, ceilings, electrical work and appliances needed be replaced.

The group will turn its efforts to the Open Door Women’s Shelter, a new organization that just began providing emergency housing for women and children. The shelter can accommodate ten people. Gamma Beta Phi will sell New Orleans-style Jambalaya on March 13 between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for $7 a plate. The fundraiser is open to the public take place in Building 9.

In the past, Gamma Beta Phi has raised funds for the Beaufort County Humane Society, Pamlico Rose Institute for Sustainable Culture, and Ruth’s House. The group has also volunteered at the Food Bank of the Albemarle, conducted regular roadside cleanups on Highway 264, and raised the initial donation for the Dr. Nancy Alford Scholarship.

The group is led by Darian Stoica, with Leah Beth Warren serving as vice-president, Madison Bunting as secretary, and Brianna Waters as treasurer. Dr. Keith Lyon serves as faculty advisor for Gamma Beta Phi.

“Our fundraisers have succeeded because we have the support of our BCCC community and the hard work of our members,” said Stoica. “We’ve picked projects that are helping to grow the safety net in Beaufort County so that all of our community can enjoy basic rights like food and housing.”

Members must be presently enrolled at BCCC and committed to excellence in education, to good character and to service. They must have completed 12 or more semester hours of college work and pay the one-time national membership fee of $70.00 along with local dues of $8.00 per semester. Members cannot have their grades drop below a GPA of 3.2 and must have a GPA of 3.5 to be join. They cannot be absent from two regular meetings without justifiable excuse.

The new inductees were: Sara Alston, Stacy Ashley, Laken Barnes, Cassie Bartell, Heather Baughman, Marshall Betts, Nicholas Blackford, Sarabeth Boyd, Antonio Cadle, Tiffany Carlton, Colby Case, Jessica Chadwick, McKenzie Chrismon, Rhianna Clipperton, Darah Cole, Chandler Cuthrell, Rachael Daleo, Chervelle Daniels, Savannah Davenport, Adriana DeMercurio, Kaylie Evans, Anna Everette, Jarrett Fikes, Carleigh Findley, Caleb Fulford, Melissa Gonzalez, Charlotte Grimes, Micah Gruninger, Lytronda Harrell, Ariayana Harrell, Carson Hasty, Megan Houston, Mackenzie Jackson, Jamie Keel, Ryan Kolibabek, Macy Main, Amanda Manning, Samuel Martin, Kimberly Mendoza, Monique Mercado, Lucianayeli Morgado Cervantes, Davina Morris, Savannah O’Brien, Lisa Pascall, Andrew Phipps, Berenice Reyes, Jared Russell, Kolby Sawyer, William Singleton, Berly Soto, Karly Stevens, Layla Suggs, Victoria Sykes, McKenna Taylor, Cassandra Teixeira, KaLynn Toler, Margaret Venters, Kimberly Villanueva Ramirez, Sara Waters, Mariah Waters, Otha Whitney, Carneilius Wooden, Meredith Woolard and Lindsey Woolard.