Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity gets new life at WSU

The Beta Omicron chapter of the professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi has been reactivated at Wayne State University. The fraternity is the oldest and largest professional business fraternity in the world. With nearly 240,000 initiated members and more than 200 chapters, it is among the 20 largest college fraternities. The men and women of AKPsi reflect the world’s diversity and are united by a common interest in business, and goals to promote institutions of business education, develop future leaders and foster appreciation for higher ideals in business. Students from all majors are welcome to pledge the fraternity.

The idea for reactivating Wayne State’s chapter came from finance major Pratik Patel, who was inspired by a close friend who joined his college’s chapter of the fraternity. “I thought there must be something special about this fraternity if it can take a 2.5 [GPA] student and turn him into a Dean’s List candidate,” he said, citing his friend’s experience.  Patel found 40 likeminded students and started the chapter at WSU’s Mike Ilitch School of Business.

According to faculty advisor Deborah Habel, the fraternity is valuable because of peer interaction.

“This diverse group of kids from all different majors has taken initiative and created more excitement here at the School.  In addition to their own professional development and charitable outreach projects, they’ve connected with other student organizations for joint events, building goodwill and engaging everyone collegially to help develop each other’s potential. I am very proud of their success.”

Alpha Kappa Psi is just one of many student organizations active at the Mike Ilitch School of Business. Why do we need the variety?

“Each organization has their own niche perspective,” Habel said. “ Whether it’s academic honors, like Beta Gamma Sigma and Beta Alpha Psi, or major field of study, like the Society of Human Resource Managers, Tau Alpha Chi, or the Financial Management Association, or the competing business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, each organization helps its active members develop into more well-rounded, complete field-ready professionals. Bounded by the demands of their academic pursuits and busy lives, students need the experiences student organizations offer.”

Learn more about student organizations at the Mike Ilitch School of Business here.

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