Business Club Wins Regional, National Awards
(Press Release 07-20-09)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Members of Eastern Oklahoma State College’s Phi Beta Lambda chapter “Got the Edge” as they won regional and national awards at this year’s National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, CA. Future Business Leaders of America–Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA–PBL) is a professional association of students pursuing careers in business and business education. Attending the conference were Megan Carline, McAlester; Kevin Danel, Haileyville; and chapter adviser Linda Morgan. Morgan also serves as state adviser for Oklahoma FBLA–PBL.

More than 1,700 students from around the nation competed in 58 events representing a range of business, career, and leadership activities. Eastern students became eligible to compete at the national conference after placing in the top five at Oklahoma’s state conference in March.

Danel placed 6th in Computer Applications. Knowledge of computer applications is a necessity in today’s high–tech business world. Employees must be able to apply various computer applications in a business environment utilizing critical thinking and decision making skills. The two–part event included an objective test and a production test. The event provides recognition for PBL members who can efficiently demonstrate computer applications skills. Danel also competed in Computer Concepts. Carline competed in Microeconomics and Word Processing.

Eastern’s Local Chapter Annual Business Report placed first. As business reports are used extensively to inform management, staff, stockholders, and the general public about all aspects of the business, the Hamden L. Forkner Award recognizes PBL chapters that effectively summarize their year’s activities. The award included a $750 stipend.

The Eastern PBL chapter received the Gold Seal Chapter of Merit Award. “This award is given in recognition of outstanding achievements by a chapter during the year,” Morgan said. The chapter also received first place at the regional level for recruitment of Professional Division members.

Carline and Danel also attended the Institute for Leaders training conducted two days prior to the beginning of the conference, graduating with honors. They went through an intense application process and received scholarships to attend the Institute for Leaders training. The scholarships were based on demonstration of leadership skills, participation in Phi Beta Lambda and academic performance.

In addition to the competitive events, students and advisers attended career and motivational workshops and campaigned for and elected regional and national officers. Oklahoma PBL member Gloria Lau, a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma, completed a successful campaign for PBL national president.

“Kevin and Megan worked hard to prepare for the national conference,” said Morgan. “We are so proud of their accomplishments.”

Phi Beta Lambda is the postsecondary division of FBLA–PBL, Inc. There are four levels of participation—middle school, high school, postsecondary, and professional.

Caption info:

Participants form the Eastern Oklahoma State College Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) chapter attending the National Leadership Conference include from left: Kevin Danel, Haileyville; Linda Morgan, PBL Co–adviser and Megan Carline, McAlester.