Dearden Honor Society

Built on the legacy and with the support of one of our most noted alumni, William Deaden, our Honor Society recognizes the accomplishments and provides enrichment activities for Business, Accounting and Economics students. Consistent with the values of Bill Dearden, the former CEO of Hershey Foods, the society promotes the development of students, recognizes excellence and provides service to the Department and College. This isn’t just an achievement to put on your resume (though we are sue you will). The Society provides additional opportunities to our top performing students through field trips, visits with speakers and other events.

William Dearden, who came from humble beginnings, graduated from the Milton Hershey School and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Albright. He went on to graduate from Harvard School of Business. Milton Hershey once said that his fondest wish was that “one of my boys will come down from the hill and run my company.”

Dearden would fulfill that hope. He returned to Hershey and helped revitalize and revolutionize the chocolate company, even creating its first national advertising campaign and strategic plan. In 1976, Dearden was appointed CEO, and by his retirement in 1985, Hershey was the leading confectionery brand in the United States.

Dearden said his support for Albright was “like repaying a debt,” noting that he wouldn’t have been able to attend college without his scholarship to Albright.

The Dearden family’s generosity did not end with the endowed chair. For decades, the family has continued to serve as important benefactors of Albright, and the business department in particular, even after William Dearden’s death in 2003. Mary Dearden provided generous support for John K. Roessner III ’61 Hall: The Center for Business and Civic Leadership and its Dearden Conference room, which opened in 2014.

Students may be inducted into the Honor Society if they meet the following criteria:
A full or combined major in Accounting or Business or Economics or are a major in the Accounting, Economics and Finance interdisciplinary program. Some individualized studies majors may be eligible at the discretion of the Department faculty
Successful completion of 5 or more courses in the Department
A 3.45 or higher overall GPA. Students must maintain a 3.45 or higher GPA to remain members of the society
No academic honesty violations on record