The Eberly College of Business and Information Technology, with support from the Division of Enrollment Management, hosted over 400 students competing in 51 events at the Regional 3 FBLA Leadership Conference on Thursday, December 19, 2020.
Secondary education students from Blairsville, Clarion-Limestone, Homer-Center, Indiana, Jeff-Tech, Ligonier Valley, Marion Center, Penns Manor, Purchase Line, and United school districts were welcomed. Competitive events throughout the day included: Business Ethics, Emerging Business Issues, Client Service, Introduction to Public Speaking, Public Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Intro to Business Presentation, Sales Presentation, Social Media Campaign, Graphic Design, Publication Design, Broadcast Journalism, and Job Interview.
Prior to the event, additional students competed in areas such as Accounting, Banking and Financial Systems, Business Ethics, Introduction to Business, Entrepreneurship, Spreadsheet Applications, and Global Business.
In addition to competitions, students had the opportunity to participate in presentations by Kelsey Thompson, assistant director, IUP Career and Professional Development Center ("Professionalism and Networking: What to Wear and What to Say! Tips to Help You Be Career Ready!"); Corey Smith, Financial Solutions Center manager, First Commonwealth Bank ("Launching Your Dream"); Mark Hilliard, president of the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce ("Indiana County READY"); Terry Appolonia, assistant dean, Eberly College of Business and Information Technology ("Preparing for the Successful Selection and Transition to College"); and Michelle Warofka, VP of Educational Relations, PFEW ("PFEW - A summer experience like no other!").
IUP officials, educators, and community officials supported the event by judging and rating student presentations as follows:
Business Ethics, Emerging Business Issues, and Client Service
- Linda Schirmer, BCIT teacher and owner, Schirmer Scrapbook and Photography
- Jon Finzen, business owner, the Axeperience
- Michael Usko, co-owner, Sky Satellite, LLC
Introduction to Public Speaking, Public Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, and Intro to Business Presentation
- Erica Lauer, English teacher, Penns Manor High School
- Mark Dimauro, adjunct professor, Westmoreland County Community College and Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Maria Ellenberger, curriculum coordinator, Evergreen Club
Sales Presentation and Social Media Campaign
- Rose Strittmatter, executive assistant to the president and CEO, First Commonwealth Bank
- Andrew Osborne, sales associate, Le-Vel Brands
- Elizabeth Hutton, associate broker, Kuzneski and Lockard Real Estate
Graphic Design and Publication Design
- Halee Lukcik, owner, graphic designer, Miss Halee's Graphic Design
- Zach Edwards, owner, graphic designer, Elite Graphix
- Justin DeCarlo, artist/graphic designer, self-employed
Broadcast Journalism and Job Interview
- Josie Usko, retired teacher, Homer-Center School District
- Jill Mountain, administrative assistant, Indiana County Chamber of Commerce
- Colleen Prechtl, career counselor, Workforce Solutions for North Central Pennsylvania
Over 200 students placed in their competitive events, making them eligible to attend and compete at the State Leadership Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania on April 5-8.
Robert Camp, dean of the Eberly College of Business and Information Technology, was pleased to host the Region 3 FBLA Conference again at IUP. "This is an excellent opportunity for us to encourage high school student leaders who are exploring various business paths and to showcase the outstanding facilities of IUP and the Eberly College," said Dean Camp. "We appreciate our partnership with FBLA and are impressed with the efforts of the students and their teachers in preparing for these competitions. We congratulate each of the participants and wish them well as they continue to become community-minded business leaders in a global society."