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Embry-Riddle Students Prevail in Statewide Business Leadership Competition

Prescott, Ariz., May 18, 2005 -- Students from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University took first place in six events in a statewide collegiate competition for future business leaders. The competition was held at the 2005 Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference in Tempe, Ariz., in April. In addition to the first-place finishes, Embry-Riddle students placed second in five events and third in three events against students representing colleges and universities from across Arizona.

Embry-Riddle’s Aviation Business Administration degree program is in its first year of existence at the Prescott campus. Dr. Javad Gorjidooz, Embry-Riddle professor of Business, was extremely pleased with his team’s showing, saying the students performed admirably in the competition.

“I am very proud of our students and honored to be their advisor and to have them in my classes. They competed against the best in the state of Arizona and really shined,” Gorjidooz said.

The following students participated in the Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference. Listed are the competitions in which each student competed and where they placed in the results.

Ryan Chase
Second Place: Management
Second Place: Visual Basic Programming

Brian Cutler
First Place: Business Communication
First Place: Public Speaking
Second Place: Sales Presentation

Alexander Hunt
First Place: Java Programming

Michelle Jensen
Second Place: Desktop Publishing (Team event)
Third Place: Word Processing

Edmore Mashingaidze
First Place: Computer Concepts
First Place: Management
Second Place: Accounting Principles
Third Place: Statistical Analysis

Felicia McLin
First Place: Human Resource Management
Third Place: Management

Melissa Napolitano
Second Place: Desktop Publishing (Team event)

Phi Beta Lambda is the collegiate division of the national organization of Future Business Leaders of America. It is the largest student business organization in the world. The organization’s focus is the development of business and leadership skills that can provide member students an advantage in competing for positions against other business graduates.

The state competition is sponsored annually by the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda. The winners of the state competition are eligible to compete in the national leadership conference in Orlando, Fla., June 28 to July 2, 2005.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 degree programs through its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering and meets the needs of students and industry through educational, training, research, and consulting activities. Embry-Riddle educates more than 30,000 students annually in undergraduate and graduate programs at residential campuses in Prescott, Ariz., and Daytona Beach, Fla., through its Extended Campus at more than 130 centers in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East, and worldwide through distance learning.