Angela Blackburn.

Margaret Stenseng.

Keith Napier.

• Kansas University’s Jomella Watson-Thompson has been selected as one of the 10 finalists for the national 2014 Ernest A. Lynton Award for the Scholarship of Engagement for Early Career Faculty. Watson-Thompson is an assistant professor in applied behavioral science and associate director for the KU Work Group for Community Heath and Development. The Lynton Award recognizes one pre-tenure or early-career faculty member who connects teaching, research and service to community outreach.

• Peoples Bank announced that Angela Blackburn has been promoted to vice president and director of human resources. Blackburn, a Pittsburg State University alumna, has been working in the human resource department of Peoples Bank for four years.

• Waddell & Reed announced that two of its financial advisors who serve the Lawrence area qualified for its annual Circle of Champions conference in Grapevine, Texas. Margaret Stenseng and Keith Napier, who serve Lawrence and Topeka, joined about 550 advisors at the conference, which gathers the financial planning firm’s top advisors.

• Kristin Spacek, owner of Owens Flower Shop in Lawrence, recently completed the class “The Art of the Party,” hosted by Teleflora in Oklahoma City, Okla. The class focused on new styles of table and venue decoration and manning large-scale events.

• McGrew Real Estate participated in the Douglas County 4H and FFA Livestock Auction Aug. 2 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. The auction benefits 4H and FFA youth by recognizing their hard work on their livestock projects, and it raises funds for college and investments in future projects.

• McGrew Real Estate participated in the Douglas County 4H and FFA Livestock Auction at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on Aug. 2. The auction raised funds for 4H and FFA youths’ college plans and future projects.

Let us spread the word about key hires and promotions, honors, business events and other business news of community interest. Send Business briefcase items to news@ljworld.com. The deadline for Monday publication is 10 a.m. Thursday.