Business major presides over student business groups throughout Arkansas
<#IMAGE:1#> CLARKSVILLE, ARK. (Nov. 28, 2006) -- Ozarks student Buddy Faulkner used his outgoing, gregarious personality to win the election for president of the Arkansas Phi Beta Lambda organization, an association of college students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. As state president of PBL for the 2006-2007 academic year, Faulkner oversees an organization that represents more than 400 college students from more than 40 colleges and universities throughout Arkansas. Faulkner is the first Ozarks student to hold the state PBL presidency in more than 20 years. “We are very proud of Buddy,” said University of the Ozarks Business Professor Dr. Robert Hilton, who serves as the university’s lead advisor for PBL. “All of our student leaders, and in particular Buddy, have brought great exposure to our University and to our business program. I think it shows people around the state and region that Ozarks and her students are leaders in PBL and in business education. I think it’s also a great benefit when Ozarks is recruiting students who want to major in business. Buddy is a great example of what students can accomplish with their talents and skills through the business program at Ozarks.” WIlliam Faulkner was just a small child when he heard his mother use the term “buddy” and define its meaning as someone who is a friend to everyone. “From that day on, I wanted to be known as Buddy Faulkner,” said the senior management major from Durant, Okla. “That name just seems to fit my outgoing, friendly personality perfectly. I enjoy meeting people and making friends, so what better name than Buddy? I even plan to get my name changed legally to William Buddy Faulkner after I graduate.” Faulkner had previously served as vice president for the state’s Region I District of PBL. The election that selected him as president was held during the association’s state meeting this past spring. “I just felt like I wanted to push myself and run for the highest office,” Faulkner said. “I enjoy meeting people and talking to people, so (running for state president) just seemed like the natural thing to do.” Faulkner said he won the election by “just being myself,” and with plenty of help from his U of O classmates. “When you think that we have a campus of 630 students and more than 80 are in PBL, that’s a tremendous percentage,” he said. “PBL has always been strong here at Ozarks, and my fellow PBL members helped me a lot in campaigning and in winning the election.” Hilton said Faulkner’s outgoing personality paid off in the election. “Buddy is a tremendous motivator,” Hilton said. “He has the ability to connect with his peers and can inspire them to do things beyond what they would normally do. He is a very likable and personable young man. He is also willing to take a risk.” Faulkner also serves as a fully certified volunteer firefighter with the Johnson County Fire Department, something he said allows him to give back to the community. “I think it’s extremely important to give back any way you can, and for me it means being a volunteer firefighter,” he said. “This university and this community have done so much for me that I want to help them as much as I can.” Through his association with PBL, Faulkner has also discovered he has a love for public speaking. “There’s just something very exciting about speaking in front of large groups,” he said. “I would love to be a motivational speaker one day.” Faulkner credits his mother, Mary, and sister, Katie, for giving him the support to succeed in college. “I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am without them,” he said.
Topics: Student Organizations