In the spring, at the end of the academic year the completed forms are returned to the National Office for review and evaluation by the Bertholf Committee. The Bertholf Forms are obtained from the National Office in the fall to be completed throughout the academic year. The award is usually presented at the district spring convention but during the Biennial convention year the award is presented at the awards banquet. The application considers the number of members in each chapter thus allowing both large and small chapters to win the award.

Only activities of the preceding year are considered. The Bertholf Committee presently bases the award upon the following 4 criteria: member activity in conducting and publishing research, participation in district and national conventions and other scientific meetings, chapter programming and activities, and orderly record keeping and communication with the National Office. There have been some changes in the criteria over the years, but the main purpose is still to recognize that chapter which has best promoted the triple aims of Beta Beta Beta: scholarship, dissemination of scientific information and promotion of biological research. In 1969 two Honorable Mentions were added to the award for second and third places as well as the Outstanding Chapter Award which could recognize up to 10% of the total chapters. Its purpose was to provide national and local recognition to the chapter which most nearly met a series of criteria for program excellence. Bertholf, the third President of Beta Beta Beta and President of Illinois Wesleyan University.

This award was first established in 1961 by Lloyd M.

Tri sigma bloomsburg