Sigma Phi Omega is a national academic honor and professional society in gerontology. UMKC established a local chapter, Gamma Beta, in 1995.  Its purposes are to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, and excellence in gerontology and aging services and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in these areas.

Eligibility

Those eligible for membership in Sigma Phi Omega are students, faculty, alumni, and professionals in the field of aging.

Eligible Students include:

• Candidates for a baccalaureate degree or minor in a gerontology/aging professional related field of study;
• Candidates for graduate degrees in gerontology or related field of study;
• Candidates for a graduate certificate in gerontology or aging studies
• Undergraduate students must possess at least a GPA of 3.3, and graduate students must possess a GPA of at least 3.5 to qualify for membership eligibility.

Eligible Alumni include:

• Individuals who were elected into the society while they were students; and
• Those elected into the society after graduation because membership into the society was not available while they were students.

Eligible Professionals include Those Persons Who:

• Possess at least a baccalaureate degree;
• Did not have a chapter to affiliate with while they were in school; and
• Meet or exceed the criteria for membership as specified in the society's by-laws.

Membership is by invitation only.

Activities

Some of the activities sponsored by Gamma Beta chapter have included:

• Career fairs for those interested in the field of aging;
• Appreciation picnic for nursing home staff
• Sponsorship of monthly practicum seminars for students in Gerontology Certificate/Minor Programs.
• Sponsorship of guest speakers
• A planned activity for 2007-2008 is a partnership with a neighborhood school to sponsor a children’s essay contest
  focusing on “Bridging the Generations: An Older Person I Know.”