Phi Beta Lamba travels to Jefferson City for conference
By Whitney Cox
STAFF WRITER
Evangel’s Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) chapter competed against 17 colleges and universities and brought home 12 first place, nine second place and four third place awards, as well as the top award—Mr. Future Business Executive at the 51st annual State Phi Beta Lambda Leadership Conference. The conference was held in Jefferson City, Mo. on March 26-28.
“The Future Business Executive category, won by senior Nicholas Reasor, is the most prestigious award of the conference,” Fletcher said. She went on to say that in this category, the student takes a comprehensive exam covering all business topics, completes a job application process, writes an essay and interviews with CEO’s of major corporations.
“It was really exciting to win the Future Business Executive competition,” Reasor said. “I have made lifelong friendships by participating in PBL, and I wouldn’t trade being a business major for any other major.”
Reasor also said that he will be attending the National Competition this summer and looks forward to competing with the best of the best from around the country. The national competition will be held in Nashville, Tenn.
This year, 19 students qualified for national competition, which exceeds the all previous years’ totals. One of those students is Vanna Bushong, senior, competing for the second time.
This year, Bushong competed in the Computer Game and Simulation Programming event. “PBL has been a great experience for me. I’ve had a chance to use my business and computer science knowledge in competitions, and the students in the group are awesome people to be with as well,” Bushong said.
According to Elizabeth Fletcher, Chair of the business and economics department, “[FBLA-PBL] is very popular, and if you are interested in developing leadership, communication and team skills, then this is the organization for you.”
The conference was held at the Truman Hotel, and the keynote speaker for the conference was Ret. Army Lt. Col. Don Koonce. Fletcher said Koonce shared how important “trust” is in developing successful business relationships, and he spoke with “power” from a lifetime of military service.
In addition, Fletcher was recognized as the Most Outstanding Adviser in Missouri, and Evangel was recognized as having the second largest PBL chapter in the state of Missouri. “It is an honor to lead and serve the students of EU. Being awarded the Outstanding Adviser of the Year is a reflection of Christ in the lives of our students” Fletcher said.