Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) students recently represented Midland University at the competitive PBL National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas this summer.
Midland representatives included Kaitlynn Simon, Dylan Laufer, Mackenzie Bertolas, Seth Strudthoff, and Jonathan Quintanilla. The business students attended workshops, competed in events, and networked with other college scholars from across the country.
Competitive event topics ranged from Accounting, Data Analysis, Business Management, Marketing, Web Development, and Statistics, among others.
Long-time business faculty member, Rita Bristol, additionally represented the institution, presenting a workshop at the conference.
For Laufer, Simon, and Bertolas, this was their first national conference.“This experience was one to remember,” said Midland PBL chapter President, Kaitlyn Simon. “I look forward to building on this first-ever national conference experience in my upcoming years as part of Phi Beta Lambda.”
Simon competed in Management Concepts and Marketing Concepts. Bertolas competed in Project Management and Statistical Analysis and Decision Making. Seth Strudthoff and Dylan Laufer competed in Help Desk where Strudthoff’s focus area was Web Design, while Laufer’s was Computer Concepts. Jonathan Quintanilla competed in Financial Analysis and Decision Making and Organizational Behavior and Leadership.
Bertolas, Laufer, and Quintanilla placed in the Top 10 in their events. Bertolas placed 9th in Project Management, Laufer placed 7th in Help Desk, and Quintanilla placed 8th in Organizational Behavior and Leadership.
In addition to conference activities, the Midland PBL students explored the rich history of San Antonio, traveling along the Riverwalk, ascending to the top of the Tower of the Americas, and visiting the historic Alamo.
The national conferenced proved an invaluable experience for the group, representing both Midland University and Nebraska as a whole. “I really enjoyed the experience of competing, meeting new people from all over the country, and the speakers,” said Mackenzie Bertolas. “I am already looking forward to all that next year has to offer.”
The 2020 PBL National Leadership Conference will be hosted in Salt Lake City, Utah.
