Texas A&M University-Texarkana business administration major Jacob Watson of Annona, Texas, recently won first place in the computer concepts competition at the 2017 Phi Beta Lambda Texas State Leadership Conference in LaPorte, Texas.
Six students from the A&M-Texarkana Eagle Business Club/PBL chapter participated in competitive events, including cost accounting, computer applications, computer concepts, management concepts, and organizational behavior and leadership.
Those competing, in addition to Watson, included Jonathan Nonmacher of Klein, Texas, Son Lam of Texarkana, Texas, Omar Hamzeh of Frisco, Texas, Stephanie Trujillo Mendoza of Garland, Texas, and Cassandra Beggs of Atlanta, Texas.
Watson will go on to represent the state and A&M-Texarkana in the computer concepts event at the PBL National Leadership Conference June 24-27 in Anaheim, California.
“The students all did quite well and were competitive in all the fields,” said Dr. Richard Parsons, assistant professor of economics and finance and PBL adviser at A&M-Texarkana.
“We are very proud of Jacob and the entire team that participated in this competition,” said Dr. Gary Stading, dean of the A&M-Texarkana College of Business. “We would also like to thank Dr. Parsons for a fantastic job of coaching our team. It is truly reflective of the quality of our students and the impact of the education being provided by our professors in the College of Business and across campus here at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. We want to extend our best wishes to Jacob and Dr. Parsons as they move on to the national competition. We know that we will be well represented, and we look forward to hearing about their wonderful experiences upon their return.”
PBL is the collegiate division of Future Business Leaders of America, whose goal is to develop leadership, communication and team skills. It is also an organization for students to meet and network with others at the local, state or national levels. The PBL academic competitions provide students with what it takes to be successful by covering technology, public speaking, business, finance and management.