Beta Alpha Psi Honors Founding Advisor Dr. Bobby Carmichael and Celebrates New Foundation Gift

The College of Business at East Texas A&M University recently welcomed back Dr. Bobby Carmichael, professor emeritus of accounting, for a special visit in April, 2025.

Carmichael, who originally established the university's Beta Alpha Psi chapter in 1981 during the East Texas State University era, returned to meet with current members and faculty advisors—and to celebrate the creation of a new foundation account that will help ensure the organization's long-term success.

Carmichael met with Beta Alpha Psi faculty advisors Matt Cremeans and Robert Rankin, as well as current chapter member Noor Shahankary, to discuss the chapter's progress and future plans. During his visit, he was presented with a shirt from the organization in recognition of his lasting legacy and continued support.

“Beta Alpha Psi’s Zeta Epsilon chapter and the Accounting Department of East Texas A&M are perpetually grateful to Dr. Carmichael's continuing generosity towards students into his retirement,” said Matt Cremeans, Instructor of Accounting and Faculty Advisor. “Without his donations and willingness to reach out, we never could have reconstituted and garnered more support than the organization has seen in years.”

The newly established foundation account will support Beta Alpha Psi students in their academic and professional development, including funding for travel to regional and national conferences. His commitment continues a tradition of service to students that spans decades.

“I enjoyed meeting everyone during my recent visit at East Texas A&M University and was pleased to see that the Beta Alpha Psi chapter that I helped establish in 1981 has been revived after a couple of inactive years,” said Carmichael. “Hopefully, the current enthusiasm continues into the future so that the endowment that I established may be used for its intended purpose.”

He continued: “It seems that a good start has been made in this direction by sending students to the regional meeting this past spring and hopefully to both the regional and national meetings in the future. In order to do this, the department will need to step up and support this objective, which will enable the faculty advisor(s) to attend with the student representatives of the chapter.”

Beta Alpha Psi's Zeta Epsilon chapter is the East Texas A&M University arm of the national honors society for Accounting, Finance, and Business Information Technology students. Membership in the prestigious organization requires students to have completed a 300-level course outside the business core in their declared major and maintain a GPA of 3.25 or higher.

Revived in late 2024, the Zeta Epsilon chapter has already made a strong impact. In the spring semester alone, 97% of its members secured internships, and the chapter hosted and participated in several key events, including business skills seminars, campus outreach initiatives, industry tours, and co-sponsorship of the Spring Accounting and Finance Career Fair.

Carmichael's visit and foundation gift mark a new chapter in the organization's growth, as it continues to empower students through leadership, networking, and professional development.

Featured photo: From left, Bobby Carmichael, Noor Shahankary, Matt Cremeans and Robert Rankin | Photo courtesy of the College of Business