The time Rhonda Klosler (BBA ’93) spent at Brock University set the tone for her entire career.

The chief operating officer of Collins Barrow Toronto shared her experience as a former Brock co-op student during a special ceremony Friday, Oct. 13.

The Goodman School of Business graduate received an honorary membership to the University’s Beta Gamma Sigma chapter and was formally inducted into the prestigious academic honours society, along with Goodman Dean Andrew Gaudes.

Klosler and Gaudes accompanied a group of 49 business students who were welcomed to the society by receiving the coveted gold Beta Gamma Sigma lapel pins to signify their membership.

The academic honours society recognizes students who are at the top of their class. One of just 10 Canadian chapters, Goodman’s Beta Gamma Sigma chapter has welcomed over 1,300 students since 2004 and was recently awarded the Silver Outstanding Chapter of the Year award for its efforts in engaging students on campus.

Goodman School of Business Dean Andrew Gaudes and Rhonda Klosler (BBA ’93), Chief Operating Officer, Collins Barrow Toronto, were inducted into Brock University’s Beta Gamma Sigma chapter Friday.

“Being inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma is a very special honour for me,” said Klosler, who came to Brock in 1989 from a small community in northern Ontario.

The University’s culture and a sense of community were significant factors in her university decision.

“The environment at Brock immediately felt like a great fit and I was not wrong,” she said.

The choice to come to Brock is one that would end up shaping her career.

“Without my degree from Brock, it would be difficult to imagine what my life would be like today. I can say with complete honesty that my degree has impacted every part of my life,” she said.

Remembering a time when Brock’s co-op option was limited to 200 accounting students, Klosler celebrated the achievements of co-op programming which now reaches 1,300 students across the University. Enrolment numbers across the University have also increased by 10,000 since she was a student.

“What a great story of success and growth for Brock and I’m so glad to be part of it,” she said.

Klosler has been an extraordinary proponent for Brock’s co-op program as it propelled her own career forward.

“Four months into university, I was off at my first work term at the employer I have now spent my entire career with — Collins Barrow Toronto,” she said. “The practical experience obtained during the co-op program, combined with the technical training from Brock, have been used in all aspects of my career and development at Collins Barrow Toronto.”

Klosler’s involvement with the University did not end with Convocation. Her firm continues to recruit Goodman students and currently employs more than 40 graduates.

“Your time and success at Brock is, of course, due to your efforts, but also due to many individuals that are passionate about Brock and have given back,” she told students, while encouraging them to ‘pay it forward’ so that future students, alumni and Beta Gamma Sigma members will benefit.

Goodman School of Business Dean Andrew Gaudes and Rhonda Klosler (BBA ’93), Chief Operating Officer, Collins Barrow Toronto, were inducted into Brock University’s Beta Gamma Sigma chapter Friday. The pair, centre, are pictured along with business students who were welcomed to the society during the event.