Tri Beta
Encyclopedia
Beta Beta Beta, also called TriBeta, is an honor society
for students of biological sciences, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Since its founding in 1922, more than 200,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and more than 520 chapters have been established throughout the United States
and Puerto Rico
.
TriBeta was founded in 1922 at Oklahoma City University
—the Alpha Chapter—by Dr. Frank G. Brooks and a group of his students. The idea of an honor and professional society for biology students spread rapidly and by 1925, the society was a national organization. Biennial national conventions of student and faculty members began in that year and in 1930 the society journal
, BIOS, began publication of student research, articles of interest to biologists and society news. As the society grew, it was divided into regional and district groups, each of which holds a convention annually. At the heart of every district and national meeting are student research papers presented in the style of graduate meetings. Awards are given for outstanding individual and chapter accomplishment.
According to its own Website, Beta Beta Beta is an academic fraternity as well as an honor society. (The phrase "biological fraternity" is described in the founding concept. See 1922 on the site's history page for founding and Alpha Chapter.) Several reactivated chapters are now listed with later start dates than chapters much later in the Greek Alphabet
. For example, Rho Beta Chapter (Lycoming College
, 1980) is alphabetically after Nu Sigma Chapter (Stevenson University, 2009). http://www.tri-beta.org
University that they organize a biology fraternity. Five students joined him to join
the first or Alpha Chapter. Another faculty member, Mrs. C. Lee Furrow, joined a
few days later. (Mrs. Furrow, teaching at Knox College, was instrumental in
starting Omega Chapter)
1923 – A student from Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, attended the summer session at
Oklahoma City University. On returning to Simpson, he interested students there
and a chapter at Simpson was applied for and granted. Designation Beta Chapter
was assigned, but installation did not take place until 1927.
1924 – In the spring, Dr. William M. Goldsmith of Southwestern College, Winfield,
Kansas, and some of his students were entertained by the Alpha Chapter. They
were so “impressed with the workings of the Oklahoma City Tri Beta Club that
they asked permission to use the same name, constitution, etc.”
1924 – Dr. Brooks spent the summer at the rocky Mountain Biological Station. Dr. John
C. Johnson, Sr. and students of Western State College, Gunnison, Colorado,
became interested and petitioned Alpha Chapter to form a chapter.
January 15, 1925 – Gamma Chapter, Western State College installed.
December, 28 1925 – Delta Chapter, Southwestern College installed. (Exact date is not
clear, but first two members are entered in membership book as of this date.
Other members listed as of this date have higher numbers.
December 1925, at AAAS meeting in Kansas City, Kansas, Drs. Johnson, Goldsmith, and
Brooks met to talk about Beta Beta Beta. They agreed it was not to be a secret
fraternity and the rituals used up to this time by the chapters were abolished (see
also under Des Moines convention, 1929). The original constitution as worked
out for Alpha Chapter was changed to vest control in a national organization and
not in Alpha Chapter. National Officers were elected: Dr. W. M. Goldsmith,
President; Dr. John C. Johnson, Sr., Vice-President, with the special job of
chairman of the committee on applications for new chapters and Dr. Frank G.
Brooks, Secretary-Treasurer. For an interesting account of this procedure see
BIOS 40: 183-184 (also BIOS 1(2):9). This is considered the First Convention of
Beta Beta Beta.
1926-1927 – First information booklet (called “Bulletin of information”) published.
Exact date is not given but number of chapters listed and internal evidence in the
constitution as printed indicate it would be before the convention in December,
1927. Two chapters listed here at Oklahoma A. & M., Stillwater, Oklahoma, and
at McPherson College, McPherson, Kansas, were evidently never installed. We
have no further record of them.
December 1927 – Second National Convention, Nashville, Tennessee. Four regions
created with a vice-president in charge of each and the undergraduate essay
competition decided upon, Dr. H.R. Eggleston to be in charge (note this was
continued until 1957; under Dr. Eggleston 1927-1931, T.C. Stephens 1931-1932,
Vasco M. Tanner 1932-1953, Robert K. Zuck 1953-1957, Robert W. Hoshaw
1957-1963. See 1963 for changes.) Publication of a journal discussed.
1928 – New edition of Information Booklet lists 17 chapters.
1928 – Petition for a chapter received from students under Dr. Chenfu F. Wu at Yenching
University, Peking, China.
1929 – Third (Biennial) convention, Des Moines, Iowa (BIOS 1(1):12-15) voted to begin
publication of BIOS. New district in China recommended. Dr. Brooks reported
agreement with Phi Sigma: Beta Beta Beta to be in schools not offering the
PH.D., Phi Sigma to be only in colleges with graduate schools. Dr. Brooks was
instructed by the convention to investigate incorporation of the society and also its
affiliation with AAAS (note affiliation with AAAS not accomplished until 1946).
Dr. Brooks suggested the rituals for use in the chapters should be developed and a
committee was appointed (see New Orleans Convention, 1931).
March 1930 – First issue of BIOS published (and continued quarterly without interruption
in March, May, October, and December to present time). Publication of the first
prize essay from the 1928 undergraduate essay competition (BIOS 1(1): 52-63),
“Animal Adaptations to Environmental Influence” by Rena Caskey of Peru
College. L. G. Balfour Company authorized as official jeweler and improved
design for keys announced.
December 1931 – Fourth Biennial convention, New Orleans, Louisiana (BIOS 2(4): 204-
210). Brooks reported 28 chapters, including 3 chapters in China, and 1153
members. Constitution changed to divide the Central Region into two, North
Central and South Central: also chapter officers changed to make the chapter
counselor “ex officio the chapter treasurer” in order to “insure better bookkeeping
for the chapter and a more permanent filing of records and receipts”.
Incorporation plan dropped because incorporation in Oklahoma entailed
restrictions not suitable for a national organization. Brooks reported ritual
committee had prepared ritual for initiation and similar one was being prepared
for installations, both of which would be made available for use. (Note this ritual
was not adopted as mandatory and we find no record that a specific ritual has ever
been required; our ritual is recommended and is available for use by our chapters
as they wish (see 1969 for revision).
December 1933 – Convention was to have been held with AAAS in Boston, but after a
poll of chapters it was cancelled by President Goldsmith because Boston was an
inconvenient location, the depression made expenses difficult to meet, etc.
Election of officers, reports, and other business was carried on by mail.
March 1935 – McClung Award for student research announced (BIOS 6(1) 227)
October 25, 1935 – Dr. C.E. McClung initiated as first national honorary member by Rho
Chapter at Gettysburg College.
December 1935 – Biennial Convention, St. Louis, Missouri (BIOS 7(1): 54-59. Dr. C.E.
McClung elected president. McClung award for student research endorsed by the
convention. Brooks reported the three chapters in China were facing
Summer 1936 – The national office moved to Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Dr. Brooks transferred
to teach in Cornell College in Mt. Vernon. The national office was established
there and BIOS printed there for many years (see 1956).
November 13–15, 1937 – First Regional Convention held at Birmingham-Southern
College by the Southern Region (BIOS 7(4):227-231) under the direction of Vice-
President W.K. Butts.
December 1937 – Biennial convention, Indianapolis, Indiana (BIOS 9(1): 33-37).
Constitution changed to provide for regional conventions. Cash awards for the
essay contest were increased, and a special committee was appointed to be in
charge of the McClung Awards for undergraduate research. All these changes
were part of a continuing discussion and effort toward ensuring more student
participation in Beta Beta Beta. From this time on, regional conventions or local
meetings of a few chapters became increasingly frequent. Four national honorary
members elected.
December 1939 – Biennial convention, Columbus, Ohio. Brooks reports financial
condition good. For the first time BIOS has become self-sustaining and there is a
small surplus to be placed as a reserve fund at interest. A song book for biologists
was suggested and various small changes were made in fees and committees.
Financial aid for the district or regional conventions was voted.
1940 – First edition of “Songs of Biology” published.
December 1940 – “Of Things Bi-illogical”, collected and mounted by B.R. Weimer of
Bethany College, first appears in BIOS. Dr. Weimer continued this section
without interruption until 1966.
January 1941 – Biennial Convention, Dallas, Texas (BIOS 13(1): 28-32). A committee
headed by Dr. Lloyd Bertholf reported for the policy committee on a number of
constitution changes which were voted by the convention. These included more
careful definition of “Departments of biology” and “biology majors”, as well as
provisions for the division of the regions into districts.
1941 – Dr. Chenfu F. Wu, Vice-President of the Region in China, left China for the U.S.
after long negotiation with the Japanese who were occupying China, only to be
taken over by the Japanese, (BIOS 13(3): 181-185).
1942-1944 – “Tri Beta in Wartime”, as reported by Dr. Brooks in BIOS 12(4): 226-227
and 13 (1): 38-39. Honor Roll of Tri Beta in BIOS 12(4): 227-230.
1943 – No convention held because of War Conditions. The Office of Defense
Transportation discouraged all conventions. Necessary business and election of
officers was done by mail. Brief report in BIOS 14(4): 181-182.
May 6, 1944 – Ninth (Special) Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (not with AAAS)
(BIOS 15(2): 92-96) was authorized by vote of the chapters as a meeting of
cabinet members and those near-by counselors who could attend to transact
pressing business. Brooks reported 43 chapters, nearly 5000 members and that
Tri Beta had done remarkably well in spite of depleted college enrollments during
the war. Plans for the post war enlargement of the society’s program were
discussed.
1945 – Two chapters established in Puerto Rico.
January 17, 1946 – Death of Dr. C.E. McClung, President of Beta Beta Beta (BIOS 17(1):
61-62).
March 28, 1946 – Biennial Convention, St. Louis, Missouri (BIOS 17(2): 105-111)
included a memorial service for Dr. C.E. McClung. Dr. Lloyd M. Bertholf was
elected President. A new region was established for Puerto Rico with Dr. G.E.
Potter as Vice-President in charge. A coat of arms (shield) was presented and was
approved by the convention. Application for affiliation with AAAS authorized,
since the requirement of having 100 members who were also members of AAAS
was then certain.
December 1947 – Silver Anniversary Convention, Chicago, Illinois (BIOS 19(1): 33-38).
Special luncheon with talk by Dr. Brooks on “The First Twenty-five Years of Beta
Beta Beta” (BIOS 19(1): 29-32) and by Dr. R.W. Gerard, University of Chicago,
on “The Future Direction of Biological Teaching and Research”.
1950 – Revised ritual published for the first time as a separate booklet. Had hereto-fore
been included in constitution booklet.
1950 – Revised ritual published for the first time as a separate booklet. Had hereto-fore
been included in constitution booklet.
December 1951 – Biennial Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (BIOS 23(1): 42-48).
A Symposium on Pre-medical Education was co-sponsored with Alpha Epsilon Delta
Premedical Society, the medical sciences section of the AAAS and the
American Society of Zoology (BIOS 22(4): 283). Constitution changes involved
“Society” and “honor” to “honorary” etc. Fees changed from $5.00 to $6.00 for
active members and from $2.00 to $3.00 for provisional. The three chapters in
China removed from the rolls.
December 1953 – Biennial Convention, Boston, Mass. (BIOS 25(1): 44-50). Revised set
of rituals presented, adopted, and ordered to be printed. Bernal R. Weimer elected
President.
December 1954 – An expanded regional convention was held with AAAS in Berkeley,
California, to give Western Chapters a chance to participate. No official business
meeting of national organization was held but policies were discussed.
February 4, 1955 – 100th chapter installed at University of Delaware, Alpha Psi.
March 4, 1955 – Death of Frank G. Brooks; Mrs. Frank G. Brooks became acting
secretary and Dr. A. Richards, editor of BIOS.
August 11, 1955 - Beta Beta Beta was ruled a tax-exempt non-profit organization by th
Federal Internal Revenue Service, and we still operate under this ruling.
September 7, 1955 – Convention held with AIBS at Michigan State College, East
Lansing, Michigan (BIOS 26(3): 148-153. Mrs. Frank G. Brooks was elected
secretary-treasurer. A resolution was passed naming Dr. Brooks founder of Beta
Beta Beta (BIOS 26(3) 156), and the name of the Undergraduate Essay
Competition was changed to the Frank G. Brooks Essay Award.
October 1955 – Memorial issue of BIOS for Dr. Brooks (vol. 26, no. 3).
December 10, 1955 – Death of W.H. Goldsmith, first president of Beta Beta Beta.
1956 – National Office transferred to New York City with Mrs. Brooks’s removal to that
city.
December 1956 – The McClung Memorial Reviews start in BIOS see vol. 27, 28, 29.
December 1957 – Biennial Convention at Indianapolis, Indiana (BIOS 29(1): 34-41).
Small lapel pins added to the larger pins already available from Balfour. Dr. V.M.
Tanner and Dr. Lloyd M. Bertholf elected honorary members. Dr. George H.
Mickey elected president.
1958 – New edition of rituals printed with some changes as a result of suggestions.
December 1959 – Biennial Convention, Chicago, Illinois (BIOS 31(1): 41-49). A
redistribution of chapters in districts was approved, the changes having been
circulated and discussed at length. Also voted that any chapter desiring to change
its district may do so by formal petition to the officers of the society. Dr. John C.
Johnson, Sr. elected as an honorary member.
1960 – Dr. George P. Mickey resigned and Dr. H.P. Sturdivant was elected president.
1961 – Dr. Lloyd M. Bertholf gave Beta Beta Beta the sum of $1000 to establish an
annual award for chapter excellence.
December 1961 – Biennial Convention, Denver, Colorado (BIOS 33(1): 55-57). Betholf
Award for Chapter Efficiency announced. Mrs. Frank G. Brooks elected a
national honorary member. On a trial basis, a sum of $25.00 for each district was
voted to be used for an award to be decided on by the districts. Dr. A. Richards
December 1963 – Biennial Convention, Cleveland, Ohio (BIOS 35(1): 50-57). Due to
lack of participation and interest in essay writing, the Frank G. Brooks Essay
Award was changed to Frank G. Brooks District Award. $3,000 was set aside, the
interest from which to be used for plaques for the award. A committee was
appointed to decide on criteria (not this is the basis for the present award plaques
for the best research papers presented at the district conventions). A separate
grant of $25.00 was voted for each host chapter of a district convention.
1964 – The biennial convention was changed to December 1966 instead of December
1965 by poll of the chapters since the vote on this at the 1963 convention had
been very close.
December 1966 – Biennial Convention at Washington, D.C. (BIOS 38(1): 44-50). The
cabinet recommended that there be a student representative on the cabinet, that
the rituals be revised and that there be a committee which would include students
to work on membership requirements. Also one constitution change was made so
that officers start their terms at the beginning of the fiscal year instead of directly
after the convention. Dr. E.G. Stanley Baker elected president.
September 1, 1967 – Mrs. Brooks resigns as secretary. Dr. Louis E. Bush elected
secretary-treasurer and managing editor of BIOS. National Office moved to Drew
University, Madison, N.J.
December 1967 – National cabinet meeting, Summit, New Jersey, at home of Dr. Bush.
This is the first of the cabinet meetings held regularly not only in the years of the
conventions as in the past, but also in the alternate years. Mrs. Frank G. Brooks
elected Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus and voted a special honorarium of $1000.
March 1968 – BIOD publication office moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
1968 – Beta Beta Beta affiliates with the American Institute of Biological Science.
September 1968 – Committee of students and faculty meet to consider membership
requirements for Beta Beta Beta.
December 1968 – Biennial Convention, Dallas, Texas (BIOS 40(1): 31-35). Revised
constitution with restatement of membership requirements approved to be sent to
the chapters for the final vote. “Provisional membership” changed to “Associate
membership” open to all those with an interest in biology. Initiation fees raised to
$10.00 for activities and $5.00 for associate members. A revised and somewhat
simplified ritual prepared by Dr. Elizabeth Lunn was presented to the convention
and was approved for publication. A commemorative booklet with citations
which had been passed by the cabinet and regions was available for signatures
and was sent to Mrs. Brooks.
March 1969 – New constitution approved by the chapters.
December 1969 – Executive Committee meeting with AAAS, Boston, Massachusetts.
1970 – Decals of the Beta Beta Beta key and shield prepared for giving to each new
member; also available to chapters at 5 cents a set.
December 1970 – Biennial Convention, Chicago, Illinois (BIOS 42(1): 36-38). Name of
Bertholf Award changed from Bertholf Award for Chapter Efficiency to Bertholf
Award for Chapter Effectiveness. Honorary membership set at $10.00.
October 1971 – Student forum at Second National Biological Congress at Miami
sponsored by Beta Beta Beta and AIBS Student Chapters. A member of Beta
Beta Beta acted as a moderator, and on member of Beta Beta Beta and three from
AIBS student chapters discussed various aspects of ecological and population
problems.
1971 – Special plaque with Beta Beta Beta shield made available for chapter and district
use for special awards.
December 1971 – Executive committee meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Plans for
the 50th Anniversary Celebration were made. It was voted to grant $50.00 instead
$25.00 to the host chapters for each district convention.
December 1972 – Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration and Biennial Convention,
Washington, D.C.
1974 – AAAS, American Association for the Advancement of Science, changed their
annual meeting from December, therefore Beta Beta Beta met separately from
AAAS. Announcement of a change in By-Law IV of the National Constitution to
read “The fiscal year of the society shall be from October 1 to September 30”
(previously read “from September 1 to August 31”). Small travel subsides for
delegates coming from farther than 500 miles to the Biennial Convention were
given. Lambda Gamma Chapter of Ohio Northern University sent a ritual for the
installation of chapter officers to the national office. The executive board made it
available to all chapters.
December 28, 1974 – 23rd National Convention held in Puerto Rico. Met on a college
campus and separately from AAAS
December 27–30, 1976 – 24th National Convention held in Fullerton, CA at California
State College jointly with the Western Society of Nationalists. Because so few
Brooks Award papers are published in BIOS, the executive committee made the
following decisions:
1. The Frank G. Brooks plaque 1st place to be given to the chapter. The student
author or authors judged 1st, 2nd, or 3rd be given inscribed certificates. A cash
award of $75 will be given to the author of any paper given a Brooks Award
and accepted for publication in BIOS within six months of the date of the
convention. To take effect beginning with conventions held after October 1,
1976.
2. The McClung Award for the best paper published in BIOS each year by an
undergraduate Beta Beta Beta member was raised from $50 to $100 to take
affect with the immediate certificates will also be available for other awards
(graduate student papers, chapter awards, etc.) in those conventions that have
them.
December 27–30, 1978 – 25th National Convention held in Houston, TX hosted by Delta
Upsilon Chapter of Texas Southern University and Delta Omega Chapter of
University of Houston. The convention cost was $100 for room, board, and all
events. The membership fee for graduate, honorary, and regular members was
increased to $14.00. The membership fee for associate and promoted members
was $7.00. There were seven concurrent research report sessions.
December 28–31, 1980 – 26th National Convention held in Memphis, TN hosted by
Memphis State University. BIOS Editor James Nagle was authorized to establish
and Editorial Review Board.
December 27–30, 1982 – 27th National Convention held in Huntsville, AL hosted by Beta
Zeta Chapter of University of North Alabama. Changes to the Constitution
effective September 1, 1983. Membership fees for graduate, honorary, and
regular members were increased to $20.00. Membership fee for associate and
promoted members was increased to $10.00. Graduate, honorary, and regular
members shall receive 2 years subscription to BIOS to the chapter or $2.00 home
delivery fee. Associate members shall receive 1 year subscription to BIOS to the
chapter or $1.00 home delivery fee. New chapter application fee was changed to
$100. A professional audit yearly starting with 1981 fiscal year by a certified
public accountant was accepted.
1984 – 28th National Convention held in Tempe, AZ hosted by Arizona State University
1986 – 29th National Convention held in New Orleans, LA hosted by Loyola University,
Tulane University, University of New Orleans, Dillard University, Southern
University, Xavier University
1988 – 30th National Convention hosted by University of Puerto Rico. Regular
membership fee changed to $30.00, Promoted to $10.00, and Associate to $20.00.
1990 – 31st National Convention held in Charleston, SC hosted by Tau Nu Chapter, The
Citadel. The Executive Committee voted the next Biennial Convention to take
place in late May or early June, ending on a Sunday and not to take place over
Memorial Day.
June 6, 1992 – 32nd National Convention hosted by Upsilon Delta Chapter of Drew
University.
June 1–5, 1994 – 33rd National Convention held in Waukesha, WI hosted by Carroll
College. Approved the use of honor cords and medallions at graduation by
Regular Honor Society Members. A research grant fund was established and
applications for research grants were mailed to each chapter. Guidelines for John
C. Johnson poster sessions were accepted and included in the Constitution.
May 30 – June 2, 1996 – 34th National Convention held in Erie, PA hosted by Theta
Omega Chapter of Gannon University. The Yokley Award was established with
$5,000. The Executive Committee approved two Amendments to the
Constitution:
1. Allowing two year Junior Colleges to form Tribeta clubs in which students could become associate members and attend and participate in all Tribeta
functions.
2. A nondiscrimination clause was added.
1998 – 35th National Convention held in San Diego, CA. The first Yokley Award was
given for Outstanding Faculty Advisors, Outstanding Yokley Faculty Leadership
Award, and Outstanding Yokley Faculty Service Award.
June 1–5, 2000 – 36th National Convention – Ponce, Puerto Rico
May 29 – June 2, 2002 – 37th National Convention held in San Antonio, TX hosted by
Saint Mary’s University and Palo Alto Junior College. New Chapter Application
fee was changed to $300.
May 26–30, 2004 – 38th National Convention held in Grand Junction, CO hosted by Mesa
State College
May 2006 – 39th National Convention held in Melbourne, FL hosted by Florida Institute
of Technology. For the first time in almost twenty years the membership fee was
increased to $45 for regular, graduate, and honorary. The associate membership
fee was increased to $35. The promoted fee remained $10.
September 2007—The honor cord was included at no extra charge in the membership
materials for regular, promoted, graduate and honorary members.
2009 - The Nu Sigma chapter was added at Stevenson University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Honor society
In the United States, an honor society is a rank organization that recognizes excellence among peers. Numerous societies recognize various fields and circumstances. The Order of the Arrow, for example, is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America...
for students of biological sciences, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Since its founding in 1922, more than 200,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and more than 520 chapters have been established throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
.
TriBeta was founded in 1922 at Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University, often referred to as OCU, is a coeducational, urban, private university historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church...
—the Alpha Chapter—by Dr. Frank G. Brooks and a group of his students. The idea of an honor and professional society for biology students spread rapidly and by 1925, the society was a national organization. Biennial national conventions of student and faculty members began in that year and in 1930 the society journal
Journal
__FORCETOC__A journal has several related meanings:* a daily record of events or business; a private journal is usually referred to as a diary....
, BIOS, began publication of student research, articles of interest to biologists and society news. As the society grew, it was divided into regional and district groups, each of which holds a convention annually. At the heart of every district and national meeting are student research papers presented in the style of graduate meetings. Awards are given for outstanding individual and chapter accomplishment.
According to its own Website, Beta Beta Beta is an academic fraternity as well as an honor society. (The phrase "biological fraternity" is described in the founding concept. See 1922 on the site's history page for founding and Alpha Chapter.) Several reactivated chapters are now listed with later start dates than chapters much later in the Greek Alphabet
Greek alphabet
The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
. For example, Rho Beta Chapter (Lycoming College
Lycoming College
Founded in 1812, Lycoming College is located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. One of the 50 oldest colleges in America, Lycoming enrolls 1400 undergraduate students from over 28 states and 12 foreign countries. Eighty percent of the college's students live on campus...
, 1980) is alphabetically after Nu Sigma Chapter (Stevenson University, 2009). http://www.tri-beta.org
Timeline (Quoted from the organization's own Website)
1922 – Frank G. Brooks proposed to a group of biology majors at Oklahoma CityUniversity that they organize a biology fraternity. Five students joined him to join
the first or Alpha Chapter. Another faculty member, Mrs. C. Lee Furrow, joined a
few days later. (Mrs. Furrow, teaching at Knox College, was instrumental in
starting Omega Chapter)
1923 – A student from Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, attended the summer session at
Oklahoma City University. On returning to Simpson, he interested students there
and a chapter at Simpson was applied for and granted. Designation Beta Chapter
was assigned, but installation did not take place until 1927.
1924 – In the spring, Dr. William M. Goldsmith of Southwestern College, Winfield,
Kansas, and some of his students were entertained by the Alpha Chapter. They
were so “impressed with the workings of the Oklahoma City Tri Beta Club that
they asked permission to use the same name, constitution, etc.”
1924 – Dr. Brooks spent the summer at the rocky Mountain Biological Station. Dr. John
C. Johnson, Sr. and students of Western State College, Gunnison, Colorado,
became interested and petitioned Alpha Chapter to form a chapter.
January 15, 1925 – Gamma Chapter, Western State College installed.
December, 28 1925 – Delta Chapter, Southwestern College installed. (Exact date is not
clear, but first two members are entered in membership book as of this date.
Other members listed as of this date have higher numbers.
December 1925, at AAAS meeting in Kansas City, Kansas, Drs. Johnson, Goldsmith, and
Brooks met to talk about Beta Beta Beta. They agreed it was not to be a secret
fraternity and the rituals used up to this time by the chapters were abolished (see
also under Des Moines convention, 1929). The original constitution as worked
out for Alpha Chapter was changed to vest control in a national organization and
not in Alpha Chapter. National Officers were elected: Dr. W. M. Goldsmith,
President; Dr. John C. Johnson, Sr., Vice-President, with the special job of
chairman of the committee on applications for new chapters and Dr. Frank G.
Brooks, Secretary-Treasurer. For an interesting account of this procedure see
BIOS 40: 183-184 (also BIOS 1(2):9). This is considered the First Convention of
Beta Beta Beta.
1926-1927 – First information booklet (called “Bulletin of information”) published.
Exact date is not given but number of chapters listed and internal evidence in the
constitution as printed indicate it would be before the convention in December,
1927. Two chapters listed here at Oklahoma A. & M., Stillwater, Oklahoma, and
at McPherson College, McPherson, Kansas, were evidently never installed. We
have no further record of them.
December 1927 – Second National Convention, Nashville, Tennessee. Four regions
created with a vice-president in charge of each and the undergraduate essay
competition decided upon, Dr. H.R. Eggleston to be in charge (note this was
continued until 1957; under Dr. Eggleston 1927-1931, T.C. Stephens 1931-1932,
Vasco M. Tanner 1932-1953, Robert K. Zuck 1953-1957, Robert W. Hoshaw
1957-1963. See 1963 for changes.) Publication of a journal discussed.
1928 – New edition of Information Booklet lists 17 chapters.
1928 – Petition for a chapter received from students under Dr. Chenfu F. Wu at Yenching
University, Peking, China.
1929 – Third (Biennial) convention, Des Moines, Iowa (BIOS 1(1):12-15) voted to begin
publication of BIOS. New district in China recommended. Dr. Brooks reported
agreement with Phi Sigma: Beta Beta Beta to be in schools not offering the
PH.D., Phi Sigma to be only in colleges with graduate schools. Dr. Brooks was
instructed by the convention to investigate incorporation of the society and also its
affiliation with AAAS (note affiliation with AAAS not accomplished until 1946).
Dr. Brooks suggested the rituals for use in the chapters should be developed and a
committee was appointed (see New Orleans Convention, 1931).
March 1930 – First issue of BIOS published (and continued quarterly without interruption
in March, May, October, and December to present time). Publication of the first
prize essay from the 1928 undergraduate essay competition (BIOS 1(1): 52-63),
“Animal Adaptations to Environmental Influence” by Rena Caskey of Peru
College. L. G. Balfour Company authorized as official jeweler and improved
design for keys announced.
December 1931 – Fourth Biennial convention, New Orleans, Louisiana (BIOS 2(4): 204-
210). Brooks reported 28 chapters, including 3 chapters in China, and 1153
members. Constitution changed to divide the Central Region into two, North
Central and South Central: also chapter officers changed to make the chapter
counselor “ex officio the chapter treasurer” in order to “insure better bookkeeping
for the chapter and a more permanent filing of records and receipts”.
Incorporation plan dropped because incorporation in Oklahoma entailed
restrictions not suitable for a national organization. Brooks reported ritual
committee had prepared ritual for initiation and similar one was being prepared
for installations, both of which would be made available for use. (Note this ritual
was not adopted as mandatory and we find no record that a specific ritual has ever
been required; our ritual is recommended and is available for use by our chapters
as they wish (see 1969 for revision).
December 1933 – Convention was to have been held with AAAS in Boston, but after a
poll of chapters it was cancelled by President Goldsmith because Boston was an
inconvenient location, the depression made expenses difficult to meet, etc.
Election of officers, reports, and other business was carried on by mail.
March 1935 – McClung Award for student research announced (BIOS 6(1) 227)
October 25, 1935 – Dr. C.E. McClung initiated as first national honorary member by Rho
Chapter at Gettysburg College.
December 1935 – Biennial Convention, St. Louis, Missouri (BIOS 7(1): 54-59. Dr. C.E.
McClung elected president. McClung award for student research endorsed by the
convention. Brooks reported the three chapters in China were facing
Summer 1936 – The national office moved to Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Dr. Brooks transferred
to teach in Cornell College in Mt. Vernon. The national office was established
there and BIOS printed there for many years (see 1956).
November 13–15, 1937 – First Regional Convention held at Birmingham-Southern
College by the Southern Region (BIOS 7(4):227-231) under the direction of Vice-
President W.K. Butts.
December 1937 – Biennial convention, Indianapolis, Indiana (BIOS 9(1): 33-37).
Constitution changed to provide for regional conventions. Cash awards for the
essay contest were increased, and a special committee was appointed to be in
charge of the McClung Awards for undergraduate research. All these changes
were part of a continuing discussion and effort toward ensuring more student
participation in Beta Beta Beta. From this time on, regional conventions or local
meetings of a few chapters became increasingly frequent. Four national honorary
members elected.
December 1939 – Biennial convention, Columbus, Ohio. Brooks reports financial
condition good. For the first time BIOS has become self-sustaining and there is a
small surplus to be placed as a reserve fund at interest. A song book for biologists
was suggested and various small changes were made in fees and committees.
Financial aid for the district or regional conventions was voted.
1940 – First edition of “Songs of Biology” published.
December 1940 – “Of Things Bi-illogical”, collected and mounted by B.R. Weimer of
Bethany College, first appears in BIOS. Dr. Weimer continued this section
without interruption until 1966.
January 1941 – Biennial Convention, Dallas, Texas (BIOS 13(1): 28-32). A committee
headed by Dr. Lloyd Bertholf reported for the policy committee on a number of
constitution changes which were voted by the convention. These included more
careful definition of “Departments of biology” and “biology majors”, as well as
provisions for the division of the regions into districts.
1941 – Dr. Chenfu F. Wu, Vice-President of the Region in China, left China for the U.S.
after long negotiation with the Japanese who were occupying China, only to be
taken over by the Japanese, (BIOS 13(3): 181-185).
1942-1944 – “Tri Beta in Wartime”, as reported by Dr. Brooks in BIOS 12(4): 226-227
and 13 (1): 38-39. Honor Roll of Tri Beta in BIOS 12(4): 227-230.
1943 – No convention held because of War Conditions. The Office of Defense
Transportation discouraged all conventions. Necessary business and election of
officers was done by mail. Brief report in BIOS 14(4): 181-182.
May 6, 1944 – Ninth (Special) Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (not with AAAS)
(BIOS 15(2): 92-96) was authorized by vote of the chapters as a meeting of
cabinet members and those near-by counselors who could attend to transact
pressing business. Brooks reported 43 chapters, nearly 5000 members and that
Tri Beta had done remarkably well in spite of depleted college enrollments during
the war. Plans for the post war enlargement of the society’s program were
discussed.
1945 – Two chapters established in Puerto Rico.
January 17, 1946 – Death of Dr. C.E. McClung, President of Beta Beta Beta (BIOS 17(1):
61-62).
March 28, 1946 – Biennial Convention, St. Louis, Missouri (BIOS 17(2): 105-111)
included a memorial service for Dr. C.E. McClung. Dr. Lloyd M. Bertholf was
elected President. A new region was established for Puerto Rico with Dr. G.E.
Potter as Vice-President in charge. A coat of arms (shield) was presented and was
approved by the convention. Application for affiliation with AAAS authorized,
since the requirement of having 100 members who were also members of AAAS
was then certain.
December 1947 – Silver Anniversary Convention, Chicago, Illinois (BIOS 19(1): 33-38).
Special luncheon with talk by Dr. Brooks on “The First Twenty-five Years of Beta
Beta Beta” (BIOS 19(1): 29-32) and by Dr. R.W. Gerard, University of Chicago,
on “The Future Direction of Biological Teaching and Research”.
1950 – Revised ritual published for the first time as a separate booklet. Had hereto-fore
been included in constitution booklet.
1950 – Revised ritual published for the first time as a separate booklet. Had hereto-fore
been included in constitution booklet.
December 1951 – Biennial Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (BIOS 23(1): 42-48).
A Symposium on Pre-medical Education was co-sponsored with Alpha Epsilon Delta
Alpha Epsilon Delta
Alpha Epsilon Delta is a U.S. health preprofessional honor society. The organization currently has more than 144,000 members within 186 chapters at universities throughout the United States, making it the world's largest Honor Society serving all students from different backgrounds in the pursuit...
Premedical Society, the medical sciences section of the AAAS and the
American Society of Zoology (BIOS 22(4): 283). Constitution changes involved
“Society” and “honor” to “honorary” etc. Fees changed from $5.00 to $6.00 for
active members and from $2.00 to $3.00 for provisional. The three chapters in
China removed from the rolls.
December 1953 – Biennial Convention, Boston, Mass. (BIOS 25(1): 44-50). Revised set
of rituals presented, adopted, and ordered to be printed. Bernal R. Weimer elected
President.
December 1954 – An expanded regional convention was held with AAAS in Berkeley,
California, to give Western Chapters a chance to participate. No official business
meeting of national organization was held but policies were discussed.
February 4, 1955 – 100th chapter installed at University of Delaware, Alpha Psi.
March 4, 1955 – Death of Frank G. Brooks; Mrs. Frank G. Brooks became acting
secretary and Dr. A. Richards, editor of BIOS.
August 11, 1955 - Beta Beta Beta was ruled a tax-exempt non-profit organization by th
Federal Internal Revenue Service, and we still operate under this ruling.
September 7, 1955 – Convention held with AIBS at Michigan State College, East
Lansing, Michigan (BIOS 26(3): 148-153. Mrs. Frank G. Brooks was elected
secretary-treasurer. A resolution was passed naming Dr. Brooks founder of Beta
Beta Beta (BIOS 26(3) 156), and the name of the Undergraduate Essay
Competition was changed to the Frank G. Brooks Essay Award.
October 1955 – Memorial issue of BIOS for Dr. Brooks (vol. 26, no. 3).
December 10, 1955 – Death of W.H. Goldsmith, first president of Beta Beta Beta.
1956 – National Office transferred to New York City with Mrs. Brooks’s removal to that
city.
December 1956 – The McClung Memorial Reviews start in BIOS see vol. 27, 28, 29.
December 1957 – Biennial Convention at Indianapolis, Indiana (BIOS 29(1): 34-41).
Small lapel pins added to the larger pins already available from Balfour. Dr. V.M.
Tanner and Dr. Lloyd M. Bertholf elected honorary members. Dr. George H.
Mickey elected president.
1958 – New edition of rituals printed with some changes as a result of suggestions.
December 1959 – Biennial Convention, Chicago, Illinois (BIOS 31(1): 41-49). A
redistribution of chapters in districts was approved, the changes having been
circulated and discussed at length. Also voted that any chapter desiring to change
its district may do so by formal petition to the officers of the society. Dr. John C.
Johnson, Sr. elected as an honorary member.
1960 – Dr. George P. Mickey resigned and Dr. H.P. Sturdivant was elected president.
1961 – Dr. Lloyd M. Bertholf gave Beta Beta Beta the sum of $1000 to establish an
annual award for chapter excellence.
December 1961 – Biennial Convention, Denver, Colorado (BIOS 33(1): 55-57). Betholf
Award for Chapter Efficiency announced. Mrs. Frank G. Brooks elected a
national honorary member. On a trial basis, a sum of $25.00 for each district was
voted to be used for an award to be decided on by the districts. Dr. A. Richards
December 1963 – Biennial Convention, Cleveland, Ohio (BIOS 35(1): 50-57). Due to
lack of participation and interest in essay writing, the Frank G. Brooks Essay
Award was changed to Frank G. Brooks District Award. $3,000 was set aside, the
interest from which to be used for plaques for the award. A committee was
appointed to decide on criteria (not this is the basis for the present award plaques
for the best research papers presented at the district conventions). A separate
grant of $25.00 was voted for each host chapter of a district convention.
1964 – The biennial convention was changed to December 1966 instead of December
1965 by poll of the chapters since the vote on this at the 1963 convention had
been very close.
December 1966 – Biennial Convention at Washington, D.C. (BIOS 38(1): 44-50). The
cabinet recommended that there be a student representative on the cabinet, that
the rituals be revised and that there be a committee which would include students
to work on membership requirements. Also one constitution change was made so
that officers start their terms at the beginning of the fiscal year instead of directly
after the convention. Dr. E.G. Stanley Baker elected president.
September 1, 1967 – Mrs. Brooks resigns as secretary. Dr. Louis E. Bush elected
secretary-treasurer and managing editor of BIOS. National Office moved to Drew
University, Madison, N.J.
December 1967 – National cabinet meeting, Summit, New Jersey, at home of Dr. Bush.
This is the first of the cabinet meetings held regularly not only in the years of the
conventions as in the past, but also in the alternate years. Mrs. Frank G. Brooks
elected Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus and voted a special honorarium of $1000.
March 1968 – BIOD publication office moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
1968 – Beta Beta Beta affiliates with the American Institute of Biological Science.
September 1968 – Committee of students and faculty meet to consider membership
requirements for Beta Beta Beta.
December 1968 – Biennial Convention, Dallas, Texas (BIOS 40(1): 31-35). Revised
constitution with restatement of membership requirements approved to be sent to
the chapters for the final vote. “Provisional membership” changed to “Associate
membership” open to all those with an interest in biology. Initiation fees raised to
$10.00 for activities and $5.00 for associate members. A revised and somewhat
simplified ritual prepared by Dr. Elizabeth Lunn was presented to the convention
and was approved for publication. A commemorative booklet with citations
which had been passed by the cabinet and regions was available for signatures
and was sent to Mrs. Brooks.
March 1969 – New constitution approved by the chapters.
December 1969 – Executive Committee meeting with AAAS, Boston, Massachusetts.
1970 – Decals of the Beta Beta Beta key and shield prepared for giving to each new
member; also available to chapters at 5 cents a set.
December 1970 – Biennial Convention, Chicago, Illinois (BIOS 42(1): 36-38). Name of
Bertholf Award changed from Bertholf Award for Chapter Efficiency to Bertholf
Award for Chapter Effectiveness. Honorary membership set at $10.00.
October 1971 – Student forum at Second National Biological Congress at Miami
sponsored by Beta Beta Beta and AIBS Student Chapters. A member of Beta
Beta Beta acted as a moderator, and on member of Beta Beta Beta and three from
AIBS student chapters discussed various aspects of ecological and population
problems.
1971 – Special plaque with Beta Beta Beta shield made available for chapter and district
use for special awards.
December 1971 – Executive committee meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Plans for
the 50th Anniversary Celebration were made. It was voted to grant $50.00 instead
$25.00 to the host chapters for each district convention.
December 1972 – Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration and Biennial Convention,
Washington, D.C.
1974 – AAAS, American Association for the Advancement of Science, changed their
annual meeting from December, therefore Beta Beta Beta met separately from
AAAS. Announcement of a change in By-Law IV of the National Constitution to
read “The fiscal year of the society shall be from October 1 to September 30”
(previously read “from September 1 to August 31”). Small travel subsides for
delegates coming from farther than 500 miles to the Biennial Convention were
given. Lambda Gamma Chapter of Ohio Northern University sent a ritual for the
installation of chapter officers to the national office. The executive board made it
available to all chapters.
December 28, 1974 – 23rd National Convention held in Puerto Rico. Met on a college
campus and separately from AAAS
December 27–30, 1976 – 24th National Convention held in Fullerton, CA at California
State College jointly with the Western Society of Nationalists. Because so few
Brooks Award papers are published in BIOS, the executive committee made the
following decisions:
1. The Frank G. Brooks plaque 1st place to be given to the chapter. The student
author or authors judged 1st, 2nd, or 3rd be given inscribed certificates. A cash
award of $75 will be given to the author of any paper given a Brooks Award
and accepted for publication in BIOS within six months of the date of the
convention. To take effect beginning with conventions held after October 1,
1976.
2. The McClung Award for the best paper published in BIOS each year by an
undergraduate Beta Beta Beta member was raised from $50 to $100 to take
affect with the immediate certificates will also be available for other awards
(graduate student papers, chapter awards, etc.) in those conventions that have
them.
December 27–30, 1978 – 25th National Convention held in Houston, TX hosted by Delta
Upsilon Chapter of Texas Southern University and Delta Omega Chapter of
University of Houston. The convention cost was $100 for room, board, and all
events. The membership fee for graduate, honorary, and regular members was
increased to $14.00. The membership fee for associate and promoted members
was $7.00. There were seven concurrent research report sessions.
December 28–31, 1980 – 26th National Convention held in Memphis, TN hosted by
Memphis State University. BIOS Editor James Nagle was authorized to establish
and Editorial Review Board.
December 27–30, 1982 – 27th National Convention held in Huntsville, AL hosted by Beta
Zeta Chapter of University of North Alabama. Changes to the Constitution
effective September 1, 1983. Membership fees for graduate, honorary, and
regular members were increased to $20.00. Membership fee for associate and
promoted members was increased to $10.00. Graduate, honorary, and regular
members shall receive 2 years subscription to BIOS to the chapter or $2.00 home
delivery fee. Associate members shall receive 1 year subscription to BIOS to the
chapter or $1.00 home delivery fee. New chapter application fee was changed to
$100. A professional audit yearly starting with 1981 fiscal year by a certified
public accountant was accepted.
1984 – 28th National Convention held in Tempe, AZ hosted by Arizona State University
1986 – 29th National Convention held in New Orleans, LA hosted by Loyola University,
Tulane University, University of New Orleans, Dillard University, Southern
University, Xavier University
1988 – 30th National Convention hosted by University of Puerto Rico. Regular
membership fee changed to $30.00, Promoted to $10.00, and Associate to $20.00.
1990 – 31st National Convention held in Charleston, SC hosted by Tau Nu Chapter, The
Citadel. The Executive Committee voted the next Biennial Convention to take
place in late May or early June, ending on a Sunday and not to take place over
Memorial Day.
June 6, 1992 – 32nd National Convention hosted by Upsilon Delta Chapter of Drew
University.
June 1–5, 1994 – 33rd National Convention held in Waukesha, WI hosted by Carroll
College. Approved the use of honor cords and medallions at graduation by
Regular Honor Society Members. A research grant fund was established and
applications for research grants were mailed to each chapter. Guidelines for John
C. Johnson poster sessions were accepted and included in the Constitution.
May 30 – June 2, 1996 – 34th National Convention held in Erie, PA hosted by Theta
Omega Chapter of Gannon University. The Yokley Award was established with
$5,000. The Executive Committee approved two Amendments to the
Constitution:
1. Allowing two year Junior Colleges to form Tribeta clubs in which students could become associate members and attend and participate in all Tribeta
functions.
2. A nondiscrimination clause was added.
1998 – 35th National Convention held in San Diego, CA. The first Yokley Award was
given for Outstanding Faculty Advisors, Outstanding Yokley Faculty Leadership
Award, and Outstanding Yokley Faculty Service Award.
June 1–5, 2000 – 36th National Convention – Ponce, Puerto Rico
May 29 – June 2, 2002 – 37th National Convention held in San Antonio, TX hosted by
Saint Mary’s University and Palo Alto Junior College. New Chapter Application
fee was changed to $300.
May 26–30, 2004 – 38th National Convention held in Grand Junction, CO hosted by Mesa
State College
May 2006 – 39th National Convention held in Melbourne, FL hosted by Florida Institute
of Technology. For the first time in almost twenty years the membership fee was
increased to $45 for regular, graduate, and honorary. The associate membership
fee was increased to $35. The promoted fee remained $10.
September 2007—The honor cord was included at no extra charge in the membership
materials for regular, promoted, graduate and honorary members.
2009 - The Nu Sigma chapter was added at Stevenson University in Baltimore, Maryland.
External links
- Beta Beta Beta
- http://www.bio.umb.edu/TriBetaHome2.html
- www.stevenson.edu