VGCC students bring home trophies from national Phi Beta Lambda conference
Members of the Vance-Granville Community College “Chi Beta Chi” chapter of the Phi Beta Lambda business student organization recently attended PBL’s 2012 National Leadership Conference. They joined students from universities and colleges across the country who participated in various competitions and attended workshops at the conference, held June 24-27 in San Antonio, Texas.
VGCC student Theresa Chiplis of Norlina won the national third-place trophy in the “Job Interview” category. The team of students Jody Hastings of Townsville and John Pendergrass of Henderson came home with two awards. They placed fourth in “Marketing Analysis and Decision Making” and placed tenth in “Integrated Marketing Campaign.” The team of Ruthie Davis of Warrenton and Kimberly Dixon of Henderson placed eighth in the “Business Ethics” competition.
In addition to those students, PBL members Diane Power, Thomas Power and Travis Power, all of Oxford, and David Henry of Macon participated in competitive events at the national conference due to their high scores at the state-level conference, which was held in April. Professional Division members Trudy Hargrove and Gabrielle Norfleet also attended.
As a chapter, VGCC was recognized with a trophy for having the second-largest Professional Division (established business professionals and educators) membership of any local chapter in the nation.
“Once again, our Phi Beta Lambda students and their advisor, LaTonya Steele, have made us proud and represented Vance-Granville very well on the national level, with five students placing in four different events,” said VGCC Dean of Business and Applied Technologies Bobby Van Brunt. Steele’s co-advisors are Carl Hann, Jr., who heads VGCC’s Business Administration, Accounting and Entrepreneurship programs, and South Campus Business Administration instructor Delton Farmer.
Phi Beta Lambda is the national organization for college students who are preparing for a variety of careers in business. The Greek letters stand for the English words “Future Business Leaders,” and PBL is affiliated with the Future Business Leaders of America, an organization for high school students. The largest business career student organization in the world, FBLA/PBL seeks to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. For more information, call LaTonya Steele at (252) 738-3447.
Above: VGCC Phi Beta Lambda members pose with trophies they won at the recent national leadership conference: from left, Jody Hastings, Trudy Hargrove (a professional division member and VGCC staff member), John Pendergrass, Ruthie Davis and Theresa Chiplis. (VGCC photo)
Related Video: “Phi Beta Lambda at VGCC”
