Student association wins awards at international marketing conference

NEW PALTZ — The State University of New York at New Paltz student chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) received three of the most prestigious awards a small college could earn at the 27th American Marketing Association’s Annual International Collegiate Conference on March 25.

The conference took place in Orlando from March 23 through 26 and was attended by 1120 students and 72 faculty advisors from chapters across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Of the 380 AMA international chapters, 118 qualified to compete for awards.

Representing the SUNY New Paltz chapter were faculty advisor, professor Ted Clark of the School of Business; AMA president, Karl von Ahm; vice president of membership, Gina Marotta; co-vice president of fundraising, Jenna Waite; co-vice president of Fundraising, Taty Varshavsky; and vice president of programs, John Kidd.

The students received awards for outstanding chapter given for excellence in strategic planning, membership activities and community service. One award is for providing programs designed to enhance the professional skills of its student members. The second is for improving the quality of life of community members and unselfishly giving their time and skill to help organizations in their community, such as volunteering for Ulster County’s Chamber of Commerce B to B Showcase, and making chartable contributions to worthy causes such as Families of New Paltz and Katrina victims. The third award is for effective strategies and activities pertaining to membership recruitment.

“We are very proud of our students and of Ted Clark, their advisor,” said Hadi Salavitabar, dean of the School of Business. “These students competed against, and beat out, colleges such as Penn State, NYU, Baruch, University of Illinois, Pace and Buffalo State. Their achievement in Orlando shows the quality of education students receive at our school.”