Gardner-Webb Students Compete in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Conference

Finance Team Qualifies for Nationals and Business Student Places in Accounting

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Students from Gardner‑Webb University’s Godbold College of Business recently earned top honors at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference in Charlotte, N.C. A four-member finance team secured first place in the highly competitive Finance Case competition, earning a spot at the national conference this summer. In addition to the team victory, a freshman business student also placed in the accounting competition.

The students worked under the guidance of faculty advisors, Dr. RJ Quillinan, assistant professor of business law, and Dr. Angelina Smith, assistant professor of business.

The Gardner‑Webb finance team included Will Brooks of Earl, N.C., Demarqus Little of High Point, N.C., Kadeyn Marshall of Shelby, N.C., and William Stevenson of Durham, N.C. They outperformed 12 other teams to claim the title and advance to the FBLA National Leadership Conference scheduled for June in Las Vegas, Nev.

“The students spent hours pouring into the competition,” Quillinan praised. “They prepared with a strong focus on providing analytical feedback to the judges, coupled with a presentation style that was smooth, personable, and consistent with the standards set forth within the Godbold College of Business.”

In individual competition, Alaena Locklear of Lawndale, N.C., placed sixth in Foundations of Accounting. The conference was a first for Locklear, and she’s already planning to attend next year.

“The comprehensive test I took contained questions about the basics and mechanics of financial statements, from what accounts belong on the Balance sheet to how the Statement of Cash Flows works,” she recalled. “Preparation for the competition was a lot of coordination between myself and Dr. Smith, who guided me through the process. I took some time to study over what I’ve learned in my accounting classes so far, and I found a lot of that material relevant to what was on the test.”

Locklear added, “I am very proud of everyone who participated. The Godbold College of Business has been instrumental in all of our successes, and I’d like to especially thank Drs. (Amber) Daniels, Smith, and Quillinan.”

Quillinan emphasized that FBLA plays a central role in bridging classroom learning with professional preparation. “On campus, FBLA may be referred to as a ‘club,’ but it is more than that. It is an educational, co‑curricular, academic program that allows for project‑based learning set in a competitive environment,” he noted. “In the case of the Finance Case competition, it helped students hone soft skills that we strive to provide in the Godbold College of Business, alongside the analytical and complex financial requirements to answer the question(s) posed.”

Marshall, a sophomore economics and finance major, explained the team’s preparation strategy. “It was teamwork—everyone on our team had their roles,” he shared. Outlining each member’s contribution, Marshall explained that he compiled the data, Brooks was the manager, Stevenson created the presentation and speech, and Little handled investment and money management.

He said the experience proved their abilities to succeed in a real-world scenario. He concluded, “It feels amazing; it makes our long nights and late work hours worth it.”

Stevenson, a junior economics and finance major, said the case required students to act as financial advisors for a marketing analyst. “We managed his investments, set up bank accounts, made decisions for his day-to-day life, and saved for a down payment on a house,” he described.

Echoing Marshall’s assessment, Stevenson said, “The greatest skill was teamwork and encouragement. We all played different roles and when we needed help, we all pitched in.”

Quillinan added that the students did most of the preparation on their own. He and Smith helped them refine their presentation skills. He stated, “We pointed out what may serve as differentiators against their competition: strength with the facts, providing more depth of analysis, and treating the presentation as a performance worthy of choreography and a personal touch.”

Stevenson summed up the experience as strengthening his financial knowledge and professional outlook. “This competition will look great on my resume and gives me a chance to network and meet young professionals,” he said. “This group helped me grow my financial literacy.”

Quillinan commended the students’ dedication and teamwork. “It was a lot of fun seeing these four come together, learn from one another, and use each team members’ strengths to ultimately win the competition,” he reflected. “I am proud to have been a coach to these four and look forward to doing so again, and again—if they let me.”

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at gardner-webb.edu.