Contact: Morgan Tubbs
STARKVILLE, Miss.--The Mississippi State chapter of business education honor society Pi Omega Pi now is ranked No. 1 in the nation.
The honor society's purposes include the promotion of scholarship, service, and high ethical standards in business education, as well as the creation of fellowship among teachers of business subjects.
"The Alpha Pi chapter has been in the top ten chapters for the last 15 years," said Connie Forde, adviser of the university chapter. "This is our first time to have been selected as the number one chapter.
We are so excited; year after year our students work diligently to complete three outstanding service projects at the local, community, and national levels that truly make a difference," added Forde, who also is national Pi Omega Pi president.
At the community level, Forde said chapter members collected books for the Smithville and East Webster County schools that lost their libraries during last spring's devastating tornadoes.
At the local level, they staffed a variety of support roles during the fall semester for the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda Leadership Conference. Last year, members also assisted at the national Pi Omega Pi convention in New Orleans, La.
Members of the award-winning MSU chapter include:
BRANDON--Chelsea M. Rushing, a 2011 Summa Cum Laude graduate of the College of Education and counselor education graduate student, the daughter of Kenneth and Margaret Rushing and a Brandon High School graduate.
COLUMBUS--Senior Dorine J. Deason, an information technology services major, the daughter of William Richards and Lou Ann Hudson. [High school information not provided.]
CORINTH--Courtney L. Coleman, a 2011 master's degree graduate of the College of Education and doctoral student in instructional systems and workforce development, the daughter of Chris Coleman and a Corinth High School graduate.
HOUSTON--Senior Letitia Pickens Porter, an interdisciplinary studies/business and technology major, the daughter of Jack and Cassandra Pickens and a Houston High School graduate.
MABEN--Senior Terasa A. Sanders, a technology teacher education major. [Parent and high school information not provided.]
MADISON--Morgan Sims Watkins, a 2011 master's degree graduate of the College of Education, the daughter of Ralph and Melinda Sims and a Madison Central High School graduate.
MERIDIAN--Senior Brian K. Gaddie Jr., a technology teacher education major, the son of Brian Gaddie and Charleen Gaddie and West Lauderdale High School graduate.
MERIGOLD--Senior Crystal E. Price, a technology teacher education major, the daughter of Chester and Verlie Price and a Cleveland High School graduate.
TUPELO--Senior Kimberley D. Boyer, a technology teacher education major, the daughter of Joe and Betty Upton and a Tupelo High School graduate; Jeffery M. Bradley, a 2011 Magna Cum Laude graduate of the College of Education, the son of Steven and Debbie Bradley.
STARKVILLE--Senior Crystal R. Craven, a technology teacher education major, the daughter of Renee' Clark and a Starkville High School graduate.
WESSON--Trevor Portrey, a 2011 graduate of the College of Education, the son of Michael and Angela Portrey and a Loyd Star High School graduate.