News & Events

Students from across five colleges, located in North and South Dakota, came together to Aspire to lead and network at the virtual Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) State Leadership Conference (SLC).    Participants from across North Dakota universities, Presentation College, and Northern State University attended this exciting conference to enhance their business skills, expand their networks, and participate in business and business-related competitive events. Presentation College students competed in both individual and team events.

The following Presentation College students received recognition at the PBL Awards of Excellence Program on April 10, 2021: 

Jerod Boswell received 1^st place in Client Service, 1^st place in Help Desk, and 3^rd place in Financial Concepts.  Josephyne Clemens received 1^st place in Business Ethics.  Nimish Gounder received 1^st place in Human Resource Management (team event), 1^st place in Impromptu Speaking, and 1^st place in Management Analysis and Decision Making (team event).  Aaron Havis received 2^nd place in Contemporary Sports Issues.  Cassidy Keller received 1^st place in Marketing Analysis and Decision Making (team event), 1^st place in Public Speaking, and 2^nd place in Global Analysis and Decision Making (team event).  Sydney Miller received 1^st place in Job Interview, 1^st place in Marketing Analysis and Decision Making (team event), and 2^nd place in Global Analysis and Decision Making (team event).  William Putman received 1^st place in Human Resource Management (team event), 1^st place in Management Analysis and Decision Making (team event), and 2^nd place in Management Concepts.  Alexandra White received 1^st place in Human Resource Management (team event) and 1^st place in Management Analysis and Decision Making (team event). 

“These students are some of the most dedicated and hard-working students at Presentation College. It is quite evident that all of their persistence to excellence came to fruition at the PBL Awards of Excellence program this year.  Each of these young women and men will truly be an asset to their communities,” said Brenda Merkel, Presentation College business faculty.                                               

For many students, the competitive events are the capstone activity of their academic careers. In addition to the competitions, students immersed themselves in interactive virtual workshops, tied blankets for Project Linus, and heard from motivational keynotes on a broad range of business topics.

About FBLA-PBL, Inc.

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc., the premier student business organization, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education association with a quarter million members and advisers in over 6,500 active middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. FBLA-PBL’s mission is to inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences. The association is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. For more information, visit fbla-pbl.org.

Dr. Trisha Waldman, Dean of Health & Natural Science at Presentation College was awarded the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Ambassador of the Year.

The mission of the Ambassador Committee is to promote a positive community image and serve as goodwill ambassadors at Chamber and community functions such as ribbon cuttings, new business openings, ground breakings, business relocations, and other networking events.

“I am appreciative to my fellow committee members for recognizing me for this award. I volunteer with the Aberdeen Chamber Ambassadors to assist in providing a quality community life for those around me. A community is only as strong as its members, and when we all pitch in, we are able to foster relationships and strive to build a vibrant community,” said Dr. Waldman.

The Ambassador of Year Award, referred to as the YAAA (You’re an Amazing Ambassador!) Award by the committee, is given to an individual whom the committee members feel best exemplifies the mission of the committee. The award recipient is voted on by fellow Chamber Ambassadors and was awarded prior to the 2021 Community Champions Luncheon.

To support our Core Value of Education of Distinction, Presentation College has launched a new honor society, Lambda Pi Eta (LPH), the National Communication Association’s official honor society at four-year colleges and universities. The organization seeks to recognize the academic achievement of outstanding students in Communication, as well as promote the profession. The Alpha Zeta Kappa chapter was launched in Fall 2020 and is open to students of any major that meet the requirements for membership, including a GPA requirement.

Members of this honor society meet periodically throughout the academic year for activities, speakers, and other events in collaboration with other Presentation College organizations and contribute to special Communication program projects, like set-up for the new Multimedia Center. This membership also connects students to resources for scholarship and professional connections through the National Communication Association.

The chapter was officially launched before winter break with a membership induction ceremony, which was presented by Deb Schuelke, Communication Program Director/Advisor; Dr. Trisha Waldman, Dean of Social Sciences & Humanities; and Dr. Diane Duin, Vice President for Academic Affairs. The inaugural class includes: Alexander Karp (President), Nimish Gounder (Vice President), Rodney Axson, Marshal Chace, Josie Clemens, Gaige Marshall, Riggs Tann, Ta’Mario Tufts, and Ashley Veech-Harris.

Pictured left to right: Marshal Chace, Riggs Tann, Alexander Karp, Nimish Gounder, Rodney Axson, Ta’Mario Tufts, and Jose Clemens.