Source: Kathy Brockway, 785-826-2695, kjbrock@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Abigail Crouse, 785-826-2642, acrouse@sal.ksu.edu
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007
K-STATE AT SALINA STUDENTS IN FREE ENTERPRISE TEAM PLACES AT REGIONAL COMPETITION
SALINA -- The Students in Free Enterprise team at Kansas State University at Salina took fourth place at the second annual Walgreens Wrangle, a marketing case competition hosted by Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Ark., Oct. 25-28.
Fourteen teams from Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Georgia competed. The K-State at Salina team placed first in its league during the morning session, then competed with the other league winners in the afternoon session.
The team was charged with creating a marketing plan for a Texas insurance company, Rodney D. Young Insurance. Once presented the case specifics, the team had roughly 36 hours to form a solution and create a presentation. The presentation was given to a panel of judges made up of Southern Arkansas faculty members and industry representatives.
Unlike other teams in the competition, the K-State at Salina team does not have any business majors, said Kathy Brockway, associate professor of arts, science and business at K-State at Salina and team adviser. Team members include engineering technology, professional pilot and technology management majors.
"We were different than any other team that competed," Brockway said. "I am really proud that even without a business department, we consistently finish in the top of these competitions."
The team was named "Rookie of the Year" in 2004, then claimed back to back regional championships in 2006 and 2007. Along with participating in competitions, the K-State at Salina group organizes many projects in the Salina community, including personal finance success seminars, after-school programs and the annual Entrepreneurship Lecture Series. Also serving as a faculty adviser to the team is Fred Guzek, assistant professor of arts, science and business.
Students in Free Enterprise is an international nonprofit organization active on more than 1,400 university campuses in 48 countries. Teams create economic opportunities in their communities by organizing outreach projects that focus on market economics, entrepreneurship, personal financial success skills and business ethics.
Members of the K-State at Salina Students in Free Enterprise team include:
Matt Torrey, senior in engineering technology, Axtell; Nick Mallare, junior in engineering technology, Leawood; Floyd Abang, senior in professional pilot, Jen Augustine, senior in technology management, and Daniel Scott, senior in professional pilot, all from Salina; and Clayton Leis, senior in engineering technology, Topeka.
From out of state: Beau Yeik, senior in professional pilot, Veteran, Wyo.