In the future, the economy will be better, the internet will be safer and the world’s markets will be more efficient thanks to on-the-fly speeches. That’s what Campbell students promise at least, after bringing home top awards in economics, cyber security, marketing and impromptu speaking April 10-12 at the 54th Annual N.C. Phi Beta Lambda (NCPBL) State Leadership Conference in Raleigh.”It was kind of a shock,” said freshman student Matthew McDonald. “I didn’t know if we would win or not.”Campbell students brought home 20 awards from more than 15 competitions this year, with at least nine students winning first or second place awards and qualifying for nationals.”I’m extremely proud of our accomplishments,” said Cherokee Bailey, co-president of the Campbell Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) chapter. “We took five first place wins.” “I was shocked that I won two awards,” said senior mass communication student Marsha McCoy.After taking first place in impromptu speaking, McCoy went on to receive first place in marketing concepts, alongside Campbell teammates Laura Reichel and Marie Norris.”Winning these events lets me know that I’m able to sell myself,” McCoy said. “It gave me confidence I could compete at something and succeed,” remarked McDonald, who took second in computer concepts.Celebrating its 60th anniversary this session, Campbell’s PBL chapter was one of the first in the state to be chartered. Though inactive for several decades, the chapter has seen new life in recent years.”We’ve seen progressive success and growth in Campbell’s PBL chapter,” said NCPBL President David Edwards. “Last year only four Campbell students competed; this year we had nearly 20, and they were better than before.”Founded in 1943, PBL expanded across the country, equipping students with skills for successful careers. States currently hold annual competitions, with top winners qualifying for nationals June 21-24 in Atlanta.Victories at the state level left qualifying students anxious for PBL nationals. “I have high hopes,” said McCoy, who took second place in public speaking at last’s year’s national conference, and plans to compete this year for impromptu speaking.”I don’t know if I’ll win, but I’m going to do my best no matter what,” she said confidently.According to Dr. Edward Fubara, director of Campbell’s MBA program and faculty advisor to the school’s PBL chapter, winning an award at nationals could be the key to a student getting hired after college.”A state award is certainly valuable on a resume,” said Fubara. “There’re probably 30 schools in our state chapter, but winning at the national level is even better.””Having a PBL award helps your resume a lot,” said Edwards, who was hired as a trust officer by Bank of America in Chicago. “It’s already helped me.”Over the next two months, Campbell’s PBL chapter will remain active following the end of the spring semester, working to raise money for costs of more than $1,000 per student to attend nationals, costs many students could be forced to pay out of pocket without financial assistance from the university.”We continue to strive ahead no matter what difficulties we face, thanks to the principles Campbell University has instilled in us,” said Bailey. “We have a great team going to nationals…and we strive for excellence.”AWARDSAccounting for Pros — Mary Norris (6th), Stephen Craig (4th)Business Communication — Cherokee Bailey (7th)Business Law — Christina Dell’Aquila (4th)Computer Concepts — Matthew McDonald (2nd) Eliu Mendez (8th)Cyber Security — Wesley Hearn (1st)Desktop Applications Programming — Wesley Hearn (1st)Financial Services — Christina Dell’Aquila, Zachariah McLawhorn, David Edwards (1st)Financial Concepts — Thuy Tran (5th)Impromptu — Marsha McCoy (1st), Grey Winn (2nd)Human Resource Management — Cherokee Bailey, Bridget Morris, Jalissa Johnson (3rd)Macroeconomics — Thuy Tran (3rd place)Marketing Concepts — Marsha McCoy, Laura Reichel, Mary Norris (1st)Microeconomics — Matt McDonald (8th), Shane Harris (5th)Parliamentary Procedure — David Edwards, Eric Harrison, Mike Meredith, Laura Reichel (4th)Public Speaking — Zachariah McLawhorn (3rd)Statistical Analysis — Eliu Mendez (4th)PHOTO Copy: Campbell PBL students with awards after the state conference awards ceremony. From left to right: Matt McDonald, Shane Harris, Christina Dell’Aquila, Mike Meredith, Marie Norris, Wesley Hearn, Cherokee Bailey, Eliu Mendez, Bridget Morris, Laura Reichel, Thuy Tran, Jalissa Johnson, Marsha McCoy. Front: David Edwards (left), Zachariah McLawhorn (right). –Story and photo by Grey Winn, student writer
Campbell wins big at Phi Beta Lambda State Conference