Williams PBL aims to be Gold Chapter
WALNUT RIDGE — Williams Baptist College already has more members in its Phi Beta Lambda business society than ever before, but the group is setting is sights even higher. The Williams organization is taking steps to be certified a PBL Gold Chapter.
“PBL Gold Chapter status is a means to an end. We want our students to not only understand the basics of good business practices, but we want them to become socially responsible, too. The activities required to become a Gold Chapter are helping our students understand the importance of philanthropy and community service,” said Summer DeProw, chair of the WBC business department.
Most recently, Williams PBL members have been organizing a diaper drive for the Arkansas Rice Depot charity. Students will deliver the diapers to Little Rock this semester and volunteer for the day with the organization.
The chapter also received a boost when Williams Baptist junior Morgan Hatcher, from Marmaduke, was elected state PBL communications director this fall. Hannah Hodges, a WBC junior from Jonesboro, served as her campaign manager.
Those are among a host of activities the group has undertaken in its drive for Gold Chapter status. Five WBC business graduates were recently enlisted as professional division members. Williams students will assist in a regional Free Enterprise Day at Green County Tech and will serve as judges at the regional Future Business Leaders of America competition.
Business students also visited Art & Culture, a new frozen yogurt shop in Walnut Ridge, to learn from owner Danny West about his operation, and they heard from Charles and Jackie Snapp about their Invest in Your Dreams program for the downtown area.
“Our students are the driving force behind PBL’s accomplishments. Heather Parson, the Williams PBL adviser, has given them the opportunities to develop their leadership skills, and numerous students have stepped up to the challenge,” DeProw said.
The Williams PBL chapter currently has 28 members, and the group is coming off a successful trip to the PBL National Conference in San Antonio this summer. WBC business students won six awards at the event, continuing their streak of national honors from the past several years.
“WBC has the largest chapter in our history and the greatest level of teamwork I have observed over the last 15 years,” DeProw said. “It’s great to see students motivated to become productive, responsible, Christian adults.”
DeProw said the WBC business students will continue their drive toward PBL Gold Chapter status through this school year.