Pictured, from left, Puttachart Kasemthaveechok, Hunter Van Lear, Janie McLaughlin, Kristin Houck, Dr. Scott Hunsinger (Faculty Advisor), Alice Culbertson, Kristen Mann, Michael Ferrise, Sergio Garcia

Back-to-back champions!

For the second straight year, the Walker College of Business chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) received the AITP National Chapter of the Year award. The award was presented March 29 at the AITP National Collegiate Conference in San Antonio.

Appalachian's AITP chapter outperformed more than 200 student chapters from 45 states including Arkansas, Baylor, Brigham Young, Florida State, Iowa, Mississippi, and Purdue, as well as regional rivals.

The chapter also won the AITP Outstanding Chapter of the Year award for its region. Kristin Houck, campus AITP president, won first place (and $100 gift card) in the Best IT Tech/Geek Video Contest.

The campus AITP chapter held a Silent Auction fundraiser March 26, raising more than $3,500 to help pay for the trip. The club also received support through other fundraising efforts and grants.

About 775 attendees from 71 colleges and universities traveled to this year's conference. Next year the club will compete in St. Louis at the 2013 AITP National Collegiate Conference.