The Williams Baptist College chapter of Phi Beta Lambda traveled to the state conference in Little Rock over the weekend, where they won several awards and qualified for nationals. Among the host of accolades earned, the Williams group received Gold Chapter status and placed 4th in Professional Division Membership, which is based on alumni involvement.

PBL, which is comprised of college business students, is the collegiate extension of the Future Business Leaders of America.

In order to become a Gold Chapter, PBL chapters must meet certain expectations. WBC’s PBL participated in more events at the state competition, interacted with local FBLA chapters and business professionals, completed community service projects and raised money for charity to once again earn the golden status.

“Our business students have once again proven their excellence in an outstanding showing at this year’s Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference. It is truly inspiring to watch them succeed, and now we will begin preparing for the National Leadership Conference,” said PBL sponsor Janna Himschoot.

To qualify for the National Leadership Conference, which will be held in Anaheim, Ca., this June, students must win first, second or third place in state testing categories, or first or second place in presentations events.

Williams students earning first place awards were: Jacob Hames and Nick Scott (Business Decision Making); Taylor Galloway, Dalton Nilges and Hames (Business Ethics); Destiny Mullins, Bobby Hatfield and Keith McAnally (Business Law); Collin Whitney (Contemporary Sports Issues); Garrett Williams, Tyler Dibert and Galloway (Emerging Business Issues); Noah Stoddard and McAnally (Hospitality Management); Luke Carter, Oni Robertson and Ethan Risley (Integrated Marketing Campaign); Risley (Local Chapter Annual Business Report); Zack Revier, Patrick Grigsby and Dibert (Small Business Management Plan); Whitney (Sports Management and Marketing); and Betsy Ryan, Nilges and Robertson (Strategic Analysis and Decision Making).

Students coming in second were: Scott, Grigsby and Carter (Business Presentation); Anna Gage, Grady Majors and Mullins (Business Sustainability); and Allen Thompson, Stoddard and Scott (Management Analysis and Decision Making).

Third place finishers were: Dakota Dwyer, Stoddard and Scott (Community Service Project); and Risley (Financial Concepts).

Earning fourth place honors were: Ryan (Macroeconomics); and Revier (Personal Finance).

Placing fifth was Nilges (Cybersecurity).

Williams is a four-year, liberal arts college located in Walnut Ridge, Ark.