Four Ashford University students brought home honors from the 2010 State Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Spring Leadership Conference held at the University of Iowa on February 26 and 27.

Receiving fourth place awards were Nate Billany (Cottingham, UK), International Business and Cassie Broderick (Davenport, Iowa), Marketing Concepts. Receiving fifth place recognition were Eduardo Garza (Clinton, Iowa), Sports Management and Marketing and Sterling Graves (Clinton, Iowa), Impromptu Speaking.

Phi Beta Lambda is a national organization for students interested in pursuing a business career.  However, membership is not exclusive to business majors.

Eight Ashford University PBL members and two advisors attended the 2010 state conference.  This was the first time the state used online testing – all written tests were completed before the start of the conference on Friday. This allowed students time to attend one of three workshop paths – Career Preparedness, Business Soft Skills and Financial Responsibility.  

During the conference, Ashford University alum Ryan Steines, CPA, presented a session titled “Feed the Pig: Personal Budgeting.” Saturday’s events included group and individual presentations, additional workshops, a networking event, and the dinner/awards ceremony.  

Preparation for this year's conference included three guest presentations by Ashford faculty and staff. Dr. Charlie Minnick presented “We Cannot Not Communicate,” Stacy

Powers presented “Building Effective Resumes,” and Dr. Amy Kramer presented “Making Today Count.”

“The 2010 Phi Beta Lambda Conference was structured extremely well,” Ashford University attendee Cassy Broderick said. “The information we were provided at this conference wasn’t presented in the classroom.  The conference helps advance our professional careers in the business world.”

Eduardo Garza agreed, saying, “I think this conference was the best by far.  All of the meetings were very informative and gave us new insight.”

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, director of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.