Contact: Phil Hearn
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State's business education honor society finished third in national competition this year, marking the 10th straight year of a top-10 ranking among university chapters across the country.
The campus chapter of Pi Omega Pi national honor society competed over the school year against more than 35 other collegiate groups. Judging was based on the number and quality of projects designed to promote scholarship and service in the academic major.
MSU and the other winning chapters were recognized at the National Business Education Association convention, held earlier this month in Tampa, Fla.
Chartered at MSU in 1939, the student organization finished second in 2004, its highest-ever ranking. Connie M. Forde, professor of instructional systems, leadership and workforce development, has been adviser for the past 19 years.
"Their outstanding participation at the NBEA convention and their ranking once again in the top five are major contributors to the excellent reputation of our technology teacher education degree at Mississippi State," said Forde. "Serving as an adviser for these outstanding honor students is very rewarding."
Representing the chapter at the convention were president Shelley L. Johnson of Hickory, vice president Bethany C. Walker of Booneville and secretary Lindley E. Simpson of Macon. Also attending were members Jacqueline D. Brown of Okolona, Krystle M. Dixon of Louisville and Marcus D. Henley of Brooksville.
Though not members of the campus chapter, three other technology teacher education majors accompanied the six students to the convention. They included Avis C. Bell of Shuqualak, Amy L. Beach of Eupora and Sundra M. Williams of Kosciusko.
Forde said the department of instructional systems and workforce development provided financial support for the student trip.
For more information, contact Forde at (662) 325-2280 or cmf1@colled.msstate.edu.