Cowley PBL students bring home awards

Two Cowley College Phi Beta Lambda Business Organization students brought home awards from their trip to the 65th National Leadership Conference held June 22-26 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago, IL.
Caleb DeGraaf, placed fourth in Economic Analysis and Decision Making and Christopher Klingenberg, placed seventh in Computer Applications. DeGraaf, from Mulvane, graduated as a business administration major and will be attending WSU in the fall. Klingenberg is a sophomore business administration major from Udall. 

The competitive events consisted of the following: Economic Analysis and Decision Making – consists of an objective test including questions on money and banking, microeconomics, macroeconomics, comparative economic systems, history of economic thought, and international economics. Computer Applications – the student takes a two-hour skills test and a one-hour written objective test illustrating their understanding of basic computer terminology and concepts; document formatting rules and standards; grammar, punctuation, spelling and proof-reading and related computer applications knowledge. 

Other Cowley students attending were: Allison Belindo, Megan Pauly, Charley Stettler, Heather Voss, Jerrod Ketchersid, Kayla Strickland, Kristine Thompson, and Brittany Tucker. 

PBL’s mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. The National PBL Association charters local chapters. 

Approximately 1,700 students attended the conference, whose theme was “PBL Your Ticket to the Future.” The competition was tough as the students compete against students from four-year colleges and universities as well as community colleges across the United States and the Virgin Islands. 

To qualify for nationals students had to place first or second at the state conference held in March. In Chicago, besides competing in the specific tests, students had the opportunity to attend leadership workshops and participate in the March of Dimes Walk. The walk was a special celebration of PBL’s 33-year partnership with the March of Dimes. 

Beverly Grunder, Cowley Advisor and the newly elected State PBL Advisor, accompanied the group. 

“It is exciting to observe the leadership skills and professional growth students obtain by being part of the PBL organization,” Grunder said. “Networking with their peers, attending the dynamic workshops and preparing for the competition provide the students with learning and leadership experience. The skills and knowledge will enhance their future educational and professional experiences. I am proud of the students who represented the Cowley College PBL chapter. It is an honor to serve as their local advisor and also to be appointed as the state advisor.” 

Fall 2007