BILLINGS, Mont. – A total of 30 Montana State University Billings student-athletes were recognized at the fifth-annual Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society induction ceremony Tuesday night at the Northern Hotel in Downtown Billings.
 
The nationally-recognized honor society was created for student-athletes who maintain a grade point average of 3.4 or greater, while competing in a varsity sport at the collegiate level. Individuals must be at least in junior standing academically to be eligible as well.
 
Among the 30 athletes recognized Tuesday, 19 were inducted as first-time honorees. Two athletes – Jace Anderson of MSUB's men's basketball team, and Dana Lubieniecki of MSUB's women's soccer team – received honorary recognition as the only three-time members.
 
The top members this year were both newcomers, as Tiana Hanson of MSUB's women's basketball team and Jarod Paul of the Yellowjacket baseball team each carried perfect 4.0 grade point averages.
 
Nine other members received recognition for the second year in-a-row. The MSUB baseball team had the most members with seven, with the softball team close behind at five members. All 15 of MSUB's varsity sports had representation.
 
Tuesday's ceremony was mastered by MSUB faculty athletic representative Dr. Scott Harris, who serves as the liaison between the Yellowjacket athletic department and the faculty.
 
With 19 new inductees, the total number of athletes to earn Chi Alpha Sigma honors since its inception at MSUB in 2013 has expanded to 115. MSUB's is the alpha chapter of the society in the state of Montana, and is one of just two schools in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference that participate. Nationwide, 42 states have member schools in the society.