Morrisville State College showcased its business savvy, taking home several accolades from the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) National Leadership Conference held recently in Atlanta, Ga.
More than 1,700 students from across the United States competed in 60 business and business-related contests held throughout the conference. The hands-on challenges placed participants in real-life business situations which enabled them to showcase their talents as future business leaders, test their business knowledge and skills, sharpen their core business skills and network.
Dan Hogan, an information technology: network administration student from Gansevoort, placed first in Networking Concepts. He also competed in Computer Concepts.
Alex Rivera, an information technology: network administration student from Baldwinsville, placed ninth in Networking Concepts. He also competed in Cyber Security.
The Networking Concepts competitive event is comprised of General Networking Terminology, Specific Networking Operating System (NOS) Concepts, OSI Model and Functionality, Network Topologies, Equipment for Network Access and Network Security.
Zach Swift, an accounting student from South New Berlin, placed sixth in Management Concepts. He also competed in Accounting Principles. The Management Concepts competitive event is comprised of Business Environment, Communication Techniques, Controlling, Decision-Making Directing, Employee Motivation Theories, Group Dynamics, Leadership, Organizational Structure, Organizing, Planning, Policies and Strategies, and Staffing.
In the PBL Professional Division, Al Muss, MSC State Chapter advisor and professor, won first place in both Marketing and Current Events in Business.
Morrisville State College was a recipient of both the Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Hollis and Kitty Guy Gold Seal Award of Merit, for the third year in a row, recognizing it as an outstanding local chapter that has actively participated in projects and programs identified with the goals of FBLA PBL.
“A very powerful and impressive group of students represented Morrisville State College, continuing to confirm the high-quality performance of PBL members,” said Sherie Boyce, associate professor and NYS PBL advisor.
In addition to competitions, students had the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops and hear presentations from motivational speakers on a broad range of business topics.
MSC students were sponsored by the Sheila Johnson Institute and the Morrisville College Foundation.
Also competing at the national conference were:
- Shauntea Brown, an equine science major from Clinton, N.J., who competed in Computer Concepts.
- Alexia Palmer, a technology management: marketing management major from New Woodstock, who competed in Management Concepts and Marketing Concepts.
- Anthony Ostuni, a business administration, entrepreneurship/small business management student from Liverpool, who competed in entrepreneurship.