West College of Business Students Perform Well in State Competition

Maureen Zambito

9 years ago

WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., April 23, 2015 — West Liberty University Gary E. West College of Business student Hayden Blazer was elected president of the West Virginia chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) business organization recently while attending the annual conference in Charleston, W.Va. Several other students brought back achievement awards as well.

The students attended the conference along with faculty advisors Dave Wright and Jim Crumbacher.

From left (front), Jessica Baker, Karissa Duke, Sarah Jones, (back) Hayden Blazer, Christian Coe and Associate Professor of Management David Wright.

From left (front), back Hayden Blazer, — From left (front), Jessica Baker, Karissa Duke, Sarah Jones, (back) Hayden Blazer, Christian Coe and Associate Professor of Management David Wright.

“We are proud of our students. The WLU chapter was recognized at the conference as a VIC or very important chapter and our students worked hard to achieve this kind of success,” said Crumbacher, who is an accounting instructor at the University. “These students represented WLU very, very well. They are quality students.”

Blazer is a rising sophomore from Glen Dale, W.Va., with a major in accounting and a minor in finance. He is involved in many extracurricular activities including the Student Accounting Society, Sport Business Society and Hilltopper Tennis Team. He also started the WLU chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, which is the first chapter in a university in the state of West Virginia, this past fall.

“I want to thank my advisors for helping us and supporting us with the chapter,” Blazer said. “It is going great.”

Also taking part in the state-wide completion and winning awards were: Karissa Duke, Wheeling, placed second in Entrepreneurship Concepts competition, Christian Coe, Cameron, W.Va., placed second in Cost Accounting, Sarah Jones, Wheeling, placed second in Sales Presentation and third in Public Speaking, Jessica Baker, Weirton, W.Va., placed second in Business Law, Daniel Morgan, New Cumberland, W.Va. placed third in Computer Concepts and Blazer placed third in Accounting Principles.

Next up is the national leadership competition in Chicago, June 23 – 27. Blazer and the other business students are looking forward to the chance to network, demonstrate their skills and bring home more honors for the College of Business.

“I’m excited for everyone who’s going to the national convention. I think we’ll do a good job and put on a great show,” Blazer said.

The FBLA-PBL is the largest and oldest business student organization in the world, according to its website.

A quarter of a million high school and middle school students, college and university students, faculty, educators, administrators, and business professionals have chosen to be members of the association which seeks to prepare students for careers in business.

For more information on WLU or its College of Business, please visit westliberty.edu or call 1-866-WESTLIB.