FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2006
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124

MUW students place in top five at PBL Conference


COLUMBUS, Miss. – Five Mississippi University for Women students recently placed in the top five at the Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference in Tupelo.

Close to 300 students from 28 different universities and community colleges participated in the conference and competition held at Itawamba Community College February 22-24.

The three-day event is held annually to help students prepare for successful careers in business by participating in competitive events, business and leadership training workshops and seminars.

Candice Cantrell of Pheba placed third in accounting for professionals, while Erin Gioia, from Hoover, Ala., came away with first place in computer applications. Emily Hobbs of Watkinsville, Ga., was awarded second place in business law, Monique Jenkins of Amory received second place in human resources management and Meagan Vaughn of Brandon came home with second place in marketing concepts.

Gioia, Jenkins, Vaughn and Hobbs will advance to the national conference to be held in Nashville this summer.

Dr. Dee Anne Larson, assistant professor of marketing and management, has been the advisor of the MUW PBL Chapter for more than five years. Larson accompanies students to state and national events and sometimes serves as a facilitator for some of the events and/or competitions.

Larson said, “Of course, I’m extremely proud of the students that placed at the Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference. MUW has a long history of success at these competitions.”

She added, “I’m proud to be their advisor and I’m looking forward to seeing what life holds for each of these amazing women.”

Phi Beta Lamba is a national academic business leadership organization. MUW’s PBL chapter strives to provide its members the opportunity to learn about the American business enterprise, attain job-related skills, develop character, acquire business leadership skills and network with current and future business professionals.