<div>Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) is the International Honorary Organization for financial information professionals. Theta Pi, the Missouri State University BPI chapter, earned a Platinum Challenge Award at the 2024 KPMG Platinum Challenge Competition. Earning a prize of $3,000 along with the award, Theta Pi was one of just 10 winners among 200-plus competing chapters.“The amount of time that these students put into making sure that the Theta Pi Chapter is visible and viable is massive,” chapter faculty adviser Kyle Goodin said. “For them, it was huge to get that recognition. This Platinum Challenge was very difficult to obtain, just because of the sheer amount that you have to go above the standard to get it. The students were thrilled with it.” Goodwin said the Platinum Challenge Award is not an award that is handed out to just any chapter. To be eligible for consideration, the Theta Pi Chapter had to be a Gold Chapter for at least two school years prior to competing. Beta Alpha Psi Chapters can rise through multiple ranks to reach the Platinum Chapter level by going out into their community and leaving their impact, whether it be with public service, volunteering or other.To enter the competition, chapters were prompted to create a 5-minute video that highlighted their respective group’s community impacts over the last school year. The Theta Pi Chapter highlighted its work with Eden Village—a local tiny home community for the chronically homeless—as well as its annual adopt-a-family initiative. “In the past year, our chapter designed and implemented a financial literacy program for Eden Village,” chapter treasurer Moriah Clapp said. “So far, our chapter has provided two workshops to residents, as well as financial materials and education to over 20 households.”Theta Pi partnered with Help Give Hope, an organization that assists families with children in need in the southwest Missouri area, for its annual adopt-a-family initiative, the chapter assisted a single mother and her son. Members bought and wrapped several gifts for the family and were able to connect with them face-to-face. “This event is always a great experience for everyone involved and a great reminder as to the power we possess to leave a positive impact in our community,” chapter vice president Jack Lawrence said. “We’ll continue to be a part of the adopt-a-family project in future years.”Since Goodin took over as faculty adviser in 2021, their numbers have grown, allowing the chapter to impact the community in more ways than ever before. “When I came in in fall ‘21, we didn’t even have enough members to cover all the officer and director positions,” Goodin said. “Because of how hard the students have worked, and how much they go out and recruit, has really increased the size of the chapter.”Goodin says the number of members has grown from around just eight to over 30 in about three years since he’s taken the helm. “With six to eight students it’s hard to do (as much), but now with as many students as we’ve got, you can get multiple teams together,” Goodin said. As for the $3,000 granted to the chapter along with the Platinum award, the chapter adviser says the money will go right back into the chapter to maintain operations. With over 300 chapters of Beta Alpha Psi across the globe, Goodin believes the award proves that the Theta Pi chapter at Missouri State stands near the top. “When we show up to places to compete, they know who Missouri State is.” Follow Jayden Pettus on Twitter, @pettusjaydenSubscribe to The Standard’s free weekly newsletter here.</div>

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Beta Alpha Psi receives distinguished KPMG award

Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) is the International Honorary Organization for financial information professionals. Theta Pi, the Missouri State University BPI chapter, earned a Platinum Challenge Award at the 2024 KPMG Platinum Challenge Competition. Earning a prize of $3,000 along with the award, Theta Pi was one of just 10 winners...