Southern Arkansas University’s chapter of Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) performed with great success at the State Leadership Conference in April by winning 36 individual and team awards and with 15 members qualifying to attend the national conference.
Under the guidance of advisors Dr. Gerald Plumlee and Sheryl Edwards, 27 SAU students competed against 300 members from 14 other colleges and universities in the state of Arkansas. Those winning first or second place honors at the state level earn a trip to the National Leadership Conference, which this year is in Anaheim, California, in June. Also at the state conference, SAU PBL member Micah Larey of Fouke, Arkansas, campaigned and was elected Executive Vice President of Membership for the state of Arkansas.
This year’s trip to nationals is considerably more expensive than previous years when the chapter has driven to the host city. With the additional cost of airfare, the trip will cost $17,885. By the first week of May, the chapter had raised more than $10,000 toward its fundraising goal, and an SAU Development “Ignite” campaign has been set up to collect donations at https://ignite.saumag.edu/PBL. Only a few days remain in the campaign, and donations of any amount are appreciated.
“We’re very proud of our members who have worked very hard this year. Our members earned more awards and we have more members eligible for nationals than we’ve had in many years. This is evidence of our outstanding students and high quality programs in the Rankin College of Business at SAU,” said Plumlee, who was honored as the Outstanding Local Chapter Advisor at last year’s state conference.
With a successful run at state, members of the chapter are eager to attend nationals.
“I’m excited to travel to my second National Leadership Conference with PBL this summer,” said Cordell McDonald, a junior marketing major from Smackover. “Anaheim is a beautiful place and I can’t wait to fly out.” McDonald placed first in the Sales Presentation event.
Each year, around 2000 members from 40 states compete against each other on a national level, attend leadership development workshops, and hear motivational keynote speakers. This year’s national theme is “A Legacy of Leadership,” marking FBLA-PBL’s 75th anniversary since the organization was founded in 1942.
Since 1974, Southern Arkansas University Phi Beta Lambda has earned 320 national awards.
Students representing SAU at the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim include Lisa Antoon, Joseph Atchison, Tray Beasley, Aaron Brock, Aric Callaway, Levi Edmondson, Brian Kemp, Micah Larey, Prince Marfo, Cordell McDonald, Thomas Quarshie, Holly Roomsburg, Lera Street, Austin Taylor, and Cole Williams.
A complete list of winners and their competitive events can be found below. Names eligible for the National Leadership Conference are also listed and marked with a *. Students attending the conference as alternates for a member who could not attend are marked with **.
First Place Awards
- Accounting Analysis and Decision Making – Joseph Atchison*, Aric Callaway*, & Aaron Brock*
- Accounting for Professionals – Diane Latimer*
- Business Communication – 4 Year Schools – Lisa Antoon
- Business Sustainability – Thomas Quarshie* & Prince Marfo*
- Computer Concepts – Wilson Impson*
- Cost Accounting – Diane Latimer*
- Desktop Publishing – Lera Street*
- Forensic Accounting – Joseph Atchison*, Aric Callaway*, & Aaron Brock*
- Future Business Educator- Kiley Corbitt*
- Job Interview – Lera Street*
- Sales Presentation – Cordell McDonald*
Second Place Awards
- Accounting for Professionals – Victoria Young*
- Business Communication – Overall – Lisa Antoon*
- Computer Applications – 4 Year Schools – Alicia Rushing
- Future Business Executive – Austin Taylor*
- Microeconomics – 4 Year Schools – Levi Graham
Third Place Awards
- Business Communication – 4 Year Schools – Cole Williams
- Business Ethics – Thomas Quarshie & Prince Marfo
- Desktop Publishing – Holly Roomsburg & Hannah Hathcock
- Hospitality Management – Tray Beasley & Levi Edmondson
- Information Management – Kiley Corbitt*
- Marketing Analysis and Decision Making – Cordell McDonald**, Tray Beasley**, Levi Edmondson**
- Microeconomics – 4 Year Schools – Victoria Young
- Microeconomics – Overall – Levi Graham*
- Public Speaking – Holly Roomsburg**
- Sports Management and Marketing – Bryan Kemp*
- Strategic Analysis and Decision Making – Austin Taylor & Brenden Hoof
- Web Site Design – Wilson Impson
Fourth Place Awards
- Accounting Principles – Levi Graham
- Cost Accounting – Sarah Tyler
- Job Interview – Jessica Miller
- Marketing Analysis and Decision Making – Trenton Johnson & Brenden Hoof
- Marketing Concepts – Alicia Rushing
Fifth Place Awards
- Information Management – Julia Bussell
- Marketing Concepts – Cole Williams**
- Personal Finance – Micah Larey**
Chapter Awards
- Largest Local Chapter Membership, Third Place
- Largest Professional Division Membership, Fifth Place
