VGCC Phi Beta Lambda chapter holds installation ceremony

Vance-Granville Community College’s chapter of the Phi Beta Lambda business student organization, called “Chi Beta Chi,” recently elected officers for the 2010-2011 year. New officers were installed and members were inducted at a ceremony on Sept. 14 on VGCC’s main campus.

The officers include president Shelonda White of Oxford; vice president Lonnie Brame of Henderson, secretary Sheri Moss of Henderson, treasurer Kiwon Harding of Henderson, historian John Pendergrass of Henderson, reporter Karin Driver of Kittrell and parliamentarian Sajade Hobgood of Oxford. The chapter advisor is Business Administration instructor LaTonya Steele and the co-advisor is Business Administration/Accounting program head Carl Hann.

White, Moss, Driver and Pendergrass served in the same offices last year and were re-elected.

Sam Miller, a student at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer and North Carolina Phi Beta Lambda central regional vice president, was the special guest at the ceremony and performed the formal installation of officers and induction of members. In addition to students, several VGCC faculty and staff members became “professional division” members.

In closing remarks, VGCC Dean of Business and Applied Technologies Bobby Van Brunt congratulated the new officers and offered his support for the chapter, which has grown quickly and won numerous awards since being reactivated in 2008. Van Brunt applauded the organization for demonstrating leadership and teamwork and asked PBL members to be role models for other students.

Phi Beta Lambda is the national organization for college students who are preparing for a variety of careers in business. The Greek letters stand for the English words “Future Business Leaders,” and PBL is affiliated with the Future Business Leaders of America, an organization for high school students. The mission of FBLA/PBL is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. For more information, call LaTonya Steele at (252) 738-3447.

Above: From left, seated: chapter reporter Karin Driver, president Shelonda White and secretary Sheri Moss; from left, standing: North Carolina Phi Beta Lambda central regional vice president Sam Miller, chapter parliamentarian Sajade Hobgood, treasurer Kiwon Harding, historian John Pendergrass, advisor LaTonya Steele, vice president Lonnie Brame and co-advisor Carl Hann. (VGCC photo)