For the first time on University of North Georgia's (UNG) Gainesville Campus, 23 students were initiated into the national biology honor society in spring 2018.

UNG's chapter of Beta Beta Beta, also known as TriBeta, was approved for a charter club in January and elected its officers in the spring, said Dr. Shannon Kispert, assistant professor of biology at UNG and adviser of TriBeta. A chapter of TriBeta was established on the Dahlonega Campus in 2006.

"The officers will meet over the summer and will decide how to contribute to the biology department and service activities," she said.

TriBeta's academic role is to encourage biology students to participate in research. Kispert explained money for research opportunities is available through TriBeta.

Students eligible to become regular members of the honor society have to maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete three biology courses in their major. An associate member status is also available to students who are interested in biology.

"It's for those students who haven't taken the three courses or haven't met the GPA requirement," Kispert said, explaining this usually applies to freshman or sophomores. "They can participate in our functions and community service activities, but they can't hold office or vote."

For more information about TriBeta on the Gainesville Campus, contact Kispert at Shannon.kispert@ung.edu.