Phi Beta Lambda - History:

FBLA-PBL History

Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) education association of students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. The Association has four divisions:

• FBLA for high school students
• FBLA Middle Level for junior high, middle and intermediate school students
• PBL for post secondary students
• And the Professional Alumni Division for business people, educators and parents, who support the goals of the Association.

The FBLA-PBL Mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs.

FBLA-PBL is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, and organized on local, state and national levels. Business teachers/advisers and advisory councils (including school officials, business people and community representatives) guide local chapters. State advisers and committee members coordinate chapter activities for the national organization.

About Us

Dr. Hamden L. Forkner, head of the Commercial Education Department of the Teachers College of Columbia University developed the FBLA concept in 1937. In the fall of 1940, the National Council for Business Education accepted official sponsorship of FBLA; on February 3, 1942, the first high school chapter was chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee. In 1958, the first Phi Beta Lambda chapter was chartered in Iowa. The Professional Division (originally the Alumni Division) began in 1979; the latest group to join FBLA (in 1994) was the FBLA Middle Level, for students in grades 5-9.

The Board of Directors is comprised of local and state educators, business leaders, and the membership division presidents. The Board sets policy and employs a President/CEO, who directs a national staff and Association programs.

The Association's National Center is an 11,600 square foot building, which was completed in 1991. The 1.6-acre site it occupies was purchased through a grant from the Conrad Hilton Foundation. The building mortgage was retired in 2001 following a successful capital campaign.

Membership

For the past few years, FBLA-PBL has enjoyed an annual increase in membership. The high school level has more than 215,000 members, while Phi Beta Lambda (post secondary level) reaches over 10,000 college students. The newest group, FBLA Middle Level (grades 5-9) is showing remarkable growth with 8,000 student members and is developing member interest for the high school level.

Chapter History

Phi Beta Lambda was founded at The University of Iowa by Oun Platt, Elizabeth Dooley, and Suzanne Davidson during the summer of 2003. The chapter was officially recognized by The University of Iowa in October of 2003 and became active in the Henry B. Tippie College of Business in the fall of 2004.