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Midwest (MWAIS)
MWAIS 2008 Proceedings
Association for Information Systems Year 2008
Alpha Iota Mu: Past, Present, and
Future
Dennis Bialaszewski∗James Buffington†
∗Indiana State University, d.bialaszewski@att.net
†Indiana State University, jbuffington@isugw.indstate.edu
This paper is posted at AIS Electronic Library (AISeL).
http://aisel.aisnet.org/mwais2008/20
Bialaszewski, Buffington Alpha Iota Mu
Proceedings of the Third Midwest United States
Association for Information Systems, Eau Claire, WI May 23-24, 2008
ALPHA IOTA MU: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
Dennis Bialaszewski James Buffington
Indiana State University Indiana State University
d.bialaszewski@att.net jbuffington@isugw.indstate.edu
ABSTRACT
Alpha Iota Mu is the only honor society dedicated exclusively to students of information systems. This
paper traces the history of Alpha Iota Mu, describes the current state of the society, and sketches plans
for the future of the society. The goal of this paper is to increase awareness of and interest in the
establishment of chapters of Alpha Iota Mu.
KEY WORDS
Alpha Iota Mu, honor society, information systems
HISTORY
The International Academy for Information Management (IAIM) was founded in 1986. The purpose of
IAIM is to foster and promote educational issues associated with information systems. IAIM members
are dedicated to improving the quality of information systems curricula and teaching methodologies and
to produce the best possible students of information systems at both the undergraduate and graduate
levels.
The idea for an honor society for students specializing in information systems was discussed at length by
members of IAIM in 1996. At that time there was no honor society in existence for Information Systems
majors. The primary goal of the honor society is to recognize academic excellence in students of
information systems. In addition to academic excellence, the concept of an honor society which
emphasized “character” and “ethical actions” was championed by the originators of this honor society.
The President of IAIM, Sheila Pechinski, supported the proposal for such an honor society and Indiana
State University held its first induction ceremony in 1997. The thought at the time was to develop an
honor society for the Information Systems area that would be well respected and that a line on a vitae
signifying membership would be widely recognized both nationally and internationally. However,
admittance would not be simply based upon some grade point or percentage where membership could
easily be determined just by running a computer program but that some aspect to insure only individuals
of good character are admitted. The structure and bylaws initially were modeled after Beta Gamma
Sigma. For instance, academic requirements for membership in Beta Gamma Sigma include a grade
point average ranking in the top ten percent of the class for seniors, or a ranking in the top five percent of
the class for juniors. Because Beta Gamma Sigma is open to all business students and because the pool
of information systems candidates is a much smaller subset of business students, the initial chapter
accepted juniors in the top ten percent, and seniors in the top twenty percent of their class.
Beta Gamma Sigma requires that chapters be established only at schools accredited by AACSB. Once
again, the founders determined that it would be in the best interest of the honor society to be less
Bialaszewski, Buffington Alpha Iota Mu
Proceedings of the Third Midwest United States
Association for Information Systems, Eau Claire, WI May 23-24, 2008
restrictive. Johns Hopkins, not accredited by the AACSB, is nevertheless a highly respected institution
with an outstanding information systems program. Flexibility in structuring the local chapter was
allowed, but an insistence on academic excellence and integrity of the candidates remained the core
principles for granting charters. John Hopkins University became the Beta chapter and Alpha Iota Mu
started to grow slowly.
Subsequently, IAIM determined to closely associate with AIS, and became AIS SIGED: IAIM and a
formal relationship with AIS emerged. In 2002 the AIS Council discussed having a role in supporting an
honor society. However, the concept of an honor society is not indigenous to many of the international
members of AIS. AIS ultimately left the sponsorship of the honor society in the hands of IAIM.
PRESENT
ALPHA IOTA MU has gone through some growing pains but is alive and well. Development of the
international constitution and bylaws has been a slow process. A number of issues were not resolved
until 2007. For example, some felt that the honor society should include a social component, with local
chapters charged with incorporating social responsibilities into the charters, with members responsible for
engaging in, for example, community service. The makeup of the governing board of Alpha Iota Mu was
another issue for which many different models were discussed. In April of 2008, IAIM Board members
will be voting on the proposed constitution. The proposed constitution sets the governing board as
representatives from both IAIM and chapter sponsors. Another important issue was whether or not the
honor society was designated solely for students, or whether membership would be broadened. The
current proposal calls for membership among faculty and professionals who have distinguished
themselves in the field of information systems. Noteworthy information systems alumni are also eligible
for induction.
In December of 2007 Dennis Bialaszewski was appointed as Director of Alpha Iota Mu at the
SIGED:IAIM Board Meeting. A smooth transition is in progress as James Buffington had done the work
virtually singlehandedly in the past. In 2008 Delta State will hold their first induction ceremony for Alpha
Iota Mu as the Lambda chapter. Other universities with chapters are: University of South Alabama,
Georgia Southern University, Quinnipiac University, George Washington University, Robert Morris
University, University of Idaho, University of Tampa, and the University of Central Florida. Inductees
have been proudly wearing their ALPHA IOTA MU pins at various functions and also displaying their
blue and white Alpha Iota Mu cords as they go through their graduation ceremonies.
There also has been a long history of faculty inductions. At the 1998 Helsinki conference, many
members of the IAIM Board were inducted into the society. Also, Eli Cohen was inducted at the
Kozminski Academy of Entrepreneurship in Krakow, Poland.
FUTURE
Alpha Iota Mu has been run as a pilot project for the past ten years. Honor societies can be a vibrant and
exciting part of the information systems field. There is much potential for growth in membership and
programs. Beta Gamma Sigma provides a role model. There are a number of services Beta Gamma
Sigma offers members, such as discounted books, credit card, and insurance services. Also offered are
test and certification preparation, student leadership forums, and recognition of outstanding chapters.
There are numerous other services and features which would help Alpha Iota Mu to become a more
mature organization.
We believe that with the adoption of the constitution and the revitalized leadership that we will have a
reenergized approach to making colleges and universities aware of Alpha Iota Mu. The intent of this
paper is to increase awareness of the potential of the honor society. As pioneers in the establishment of
Bialaszewski, Buffington Alpha Iota Mu
Proceedings of the Third Midwest United States
Association for Information Systems, Eau Claire, WI May 23-24, 2008
Alpha Iota Mu, our purpose is to honor outstanding contributions to the field of information management;
to further the IS profession, our community, and our planet by promoting excellence in education and in
business.