Beta Alpha Psi/AICPA Medal of Inspiration

If you have questions or want to discuss this competition, please post them on the BAP Discussions under Competitions

Overview of Program

Beta Alpha Psi students are already “good” students. They have strong GPAs, they contribute to their communities through service, and demonstrate commitment to professional ideals and ethics. We want to encourage them to go the next level and strive to be “great.” An integral part of this encouragement is for students to hear life stories of other students who been particularly inspirational.

This year, Beta Alpha Psi and the AICPA are once again jointly sponsoring a program whereby such inspirational stories can be shared, thereby encouraging others to reach within and find the “greatness” in themselves.

Criteria and Eligibility

We invite current Beta Alpha Psi students to nominate either themselves or another current Beta Alpha Psi student. We also encourage faculty advisors to consider nominating one of their members. Any student currently enrolled as a junior, senior, or graduate student is eligible to be nominated. Nominators will be required to write an essay describing why and how this individual inspires them.

There are two criteria whereby students can win. First, they may have experienced extreme hardships in their lives in pursuing their education, and demonstrated an unusually high level of success in spite of that adversity. Or, second, they may have done something particularly inspirational in the course of their young lives that had tremendous impact on someone else’s life. Either path is acceptable. Students are encouraged to participate in the program, not to bring honor or glory to themselves, but to inspire students to want to affect on the world around them in a positive way.

One winner will be selected by a panel of Beta Alpha Psi Board and/or Advisory Forum members and a representative of the AICPA. This student will receive the “Medal of Inspiration” award at the Beta Alpha Psi 2011 annual meeting and a cash scholarship award of $5,000, made possible by the generous funding of the AICPA.

AICPA 2011 Medal of Inspiration Form (Printable Version)

Beta Alpha Psi/AICPA Medal of Inspiration
Nomination Form

Instructions: Please complete this form in its entirety. Responses and the essay must be typed.

Part I: Personal Information

Name of Nominee:	_________________________________
Email Address:	_________________________________
Address:	_________________________________
City:	_________________________________
State:	_________________________________
Zip:	_________________________________
Phone:	_________________________________
Member of which Chapter?
Chapter Number:	_________________________________
Chapter Name	_________________________________
School:	_________________________________
Date Joined Beta Alpha Psi:	_________________________________
Degree Currently Seeking:	_________________________________
Major:	_________________________________
Overall GPA:	_____________
Expected Date Current Degree Will Be Conferred:	_____________

There are two possible paths for being awarded a Medal of Inspiration. Either 1) the nominee has overcome extreme adversity to achieve remarkable success, or, 2) the nominee has engaged in an activity that has had a significant positive impact on the lives of those around him/her.

Which category does the nominee fit into (check one)?

The nominee has:

_____	Overcome extreme adversity to achieve remarkable success
_____	Had a significant positive impact on the lives of those around him/her

Part II. Leadership and Activities

Please describe in detail the nominee’s activities in Beta Alpha Psi, and other organizations.

I. Beta Alpha Psi Leadership Positions

II. Other Leadership Positions

III. Beta Alpha Psi Activities

IV. Other Activities

Part III. Essay

Submit an essay describing why the nominee should receive a Medal of Inspiration. The essay should be no longer than three single-spaced pages, 12-point font. Supporting document from an external (unrelated) party will strengthen the nominee’s application. The nominee may attach any amount of supporting documentation. The nominee must submit a signed statement, names, and phone numbers from three references who have read the essay and who can attest to the truthfulness of the content of the essay. An application not accompanied by three signed attestation statements (see below) will not be considered. The statement should be copied from the below language and signed.

“I have read the essay submitted by (Nominee’s Name) for the Beta Alpha Psi/AICPA Medal of Inspiration award. I attest to the truthfulness and accuracy of the contents, without reservation. I understand that I may be called by someone from Beta Alpha Psi or the AICPA to verify this attestation.”

By (Sign Name)	_________________________________
Print Name	_________________________________
Relationship to the Nominee	_________________________________
Phone Number	_________________________________

Part IV. Submission of Nomination Packet

Please submit the following information via email, no later than May 1.

_____	Completed Nomination Form
_____	Essay
_____	Supporting Documetation
_____	Signed Attestation Statements From Three References

All of the above information should be scanned in as one PDF file. Email the file to Dr. Mary Stone (mstone@cba.ua.edu ) by midnight, May 2nd, 2011. Nominations received after this date and time will not be accepted. You should receive a confirmation email from Dr. Stone stating that your nomination has been received. Please keep this confirmation email.

Notification of Winners