LR students earn state awards; advance to nationals

The university's Phi Beta Lambda chapter won multiple awards at the 65th Annual North Carolina PBL State Leadership Conference held in Charlotte.
Members of the Lenoir-Rhyne University chapter of Phi Beta Lambda won multiple awards at the 65th Annual North Carolina PBL State Leadership Conference held in Charlotte, April 4-6. They successfully competed in business categories against students from other colleges and universities across the state.
The following LR students earned top distinction in their respective competitions:
Evelyn Aguilar Ortega, a senior business management major from Lenoir, North Carolina, placed second in project management and seventh place in microeconomics.
Raiah Robinson, a junior international business major from Charlotte, North Carolina, earned second place in microeconomics and third place in financial analysis and decision-making.
Hilda Denisa von Schmittou, a senior marketing major from Newton, North Carolina, finished second in business ethics and third in emerging business issues.
All three students qualified for nationals and will represent LR at the National Leadership Conference June 24-27 in San Antonio, Texas.
"There were more than 200 total delegates present at this year's conference and it is a wonderful experience to see the students from Lenoir-Rhyne consistently perform in the top," said Jamie Conrad, LR coordinator of experiential learning and outreach and PBL advisor.
PBL provides additional opportunities for college students to develop leadership skills applicable to all programs of study. PBL is an integral part of the instructional program and promotes a sense of civic and personal responsibility.
Editor's Note: (Pictured left to right) Raiah Robinson and Hilda Denisa von Schmittou display the certificates they earned at the PBL Conference. Not pictured is Evelyn Aguilar Ortega.
Photo by Dr. Jamie Conrad, Lenoir-Rhyne University

With picnic tables, hammocks and a giant Adirondack chair the quad has leveled up to become Bear Grove—LR’s new favorite hangout spot.
View More
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to LR’s Master of Science in PA Studies. The program is expected to welcome its first class in January 2026.
View More