Gamma Sigma Delta International has named the NDSU chapter of the agricultural honor society the most improved chapter.
NDSU's Gamma Sigma Delta was selected for the award from among the organization's 53 chapters. The NDSU chapter was chartered in 2005.
"We were very excited and honored to learn that our chapter had been selected for this award," says Greg Lardy, chapter president and an associate professor in the animal sciences department. "As a relatively new chapter, we are just getting a number of things started which we think will be beneficial for our membership. Being recognized by our national organization is certainly a nice compliment for our chapter and indicates we are doing some positive things."
Gamma Sigma Delta works to advance agriculture, maintain and improve the relationship of agriculture and related sciences to other industries, and recognize the responsibilities of those engaged in all aspects of agriculture.
NDSU's chapter is open to anyone involved in agriculture at the university, such as undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff and alumni. Nominations for membership are accepted each fall. Gamma Sigma Delta members who were initiated at other universities can join NDSU's chapter at any time simply by paying chapter dues.
Lardy says the chapter is working on expanding its student membership and finding funding sources for scholarships. The chapter has 45 active members and will initiate 29 additional members in April.
"Since the chapter's inception, the leadership and members have aggressively provided wonderful opportunities for faculty, staff and students to more fully understand the broad agricultural industry and its great opportunities," says D.C. Coston, NDSU vice president for agriculture and university extension.
For more information about the chapter, contact Lardy at 1-7660 or gregory.lardy@ndsu.edu.