Nadia Stimack
News Reporter

The Mesa State Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda chapter took home 54 awards from the Colorado State PBL Conference, held at Johnson and Wales University in Denver on April 8 – 9. All 20 students that attended qualified to participate at nationals, which will be held in Orlando, Fla. on June 23 – 26.
In order to qualify, students must place either first or second, and in some cases third, in their registered event. The club earned 19 first place and 11 second place awards, which placed them above all other competing schools with the most awards taken home this year. Categories that the students competed in included accounting, computer systems, business presentations, business ethics, management, marketing and finance, among others.
This year’s national competition will have students competing from across the nation. Students are allowed to compete in two events that they qualified for from state. They will be required to either test or present business related material in front of a panel of judges.
Two years ago, PBL took home the third most national awards, and they hope for a similar outcome this year.
PBL is the largest student run organization in the world, working within the community and the MSC campus to prepare themselves for state and national competitions against other schools, as well as preparing themselves for job opportunities after graduation.
PBL hosts fundraisers and networks within the community working with different organizations on and off campus to try to create business leaders. In order to qualify to go to state competitions, PBL members need to have at least 20 hours of community service activities or participation in different events around the school or within the club.
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” PBL President Justin Kawcak said.
Regardless of degree, PBL welcomes all students, and would like to continue to see more students join to not only represent MSC, but to better prepare themselves for the business world. The membership fee ranges from $20 – $35, depending on when you join. The money goes towards funding the club and helping send students to competitions.
“No matter what major you’re in, or no matter what you do in life, you need some common business sense, and that’s something that we’re able to give to you,” Kawcak said. “On top of that, once you graduate, people that are doing the hiring are going to look for individuals who are involved in community activities and campus activities. It’s a great opportunity for people to go out and make a difference, build your resume, and learn that business sense.”

nstimack@mesastate.edu