DeSales SIFE Team Wins Regional Competition
For the third time since it was first established in 2003, the DeSales University SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) team has shown that winning a regional championship is worth repeating.
More than 40 schools participated in the most recent competition, held on March 28 at the Wyndham Hotel in Philadelphia. The DeSales team also won five individual topic competitions: Market Economics, Success Skills, Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy and Program Sustainability. The total prize value was $3,500, which included $1,500 for winning the championship and $500 for each of the individual topics, with the exception of Success Skills.
As a result of winning the regional championship, the DeSales SIFE team will compete in the SIFE USA National Exposition in Kansas City, Mo., May 21 to 23. Last year, the team placed twelfth out of the 840 schools that participated nationwide.
DeSales students on the presenting team in Philadelphia were: Brandon Fogal, '06, communications major from Jim Thorpe, Pa.; Jonathan Andrews, '06, biology major from Lebanon, Pa.; Brian Radziwill, '07, communications major from Cherry Hill, N.J.; Joshua Lee, '07, finance and marketing major from Allentown, Pa.; Thomas Carr, '08, business major from Atco, N.J.; Vincent Coglianese, '08, political science major from Camp Lejeune, N.C.; Robert Day, '08, nursing major from Wilmington, Del.; Alison O'Brien, '08, political science major from Mt. Bethel, Pa., and Johanna Cespedes, '09, law and society major from Bethlehem, Pa.
"I see the world in a different way because of SIFE and the countless opportunities it has created," said O'Brien. "The sole fact that through our efforts, we are increasing the standard of living for our neighbors, both at home and around the world, is most rewarding."
"This opportunity has allowed me to make incredible bonds with professors and classmates, as well as cement my own individual ideas and values," said Andrews. "Working with these projects, programs and people has been the most significant part of my college career."
During their presentation, the DeSales students shared experiences from their most recent trip to Peru. They also discussed the progress and continuation of their efforts on projects that were implemented there on previous trips. They addressed their overall value and benefit, and how these projects have impacted their learning.
"This has been the most exciting and fulfilling of my three years with the organization," said Lee. "We achieved a lot in the past, but 2005 - 2006 supplied us with what was necessary to allow our team to shine above the rest. This includes our initiatives in Peru, which have grown at an astonishing rate and demonstrate true, long-term success."
While in Peru, the students helped to establish an import / export project with Peruvian villagers. They also trained them in effective herd management of their sheep and provided assistance with building greenhouses that would sustain four annual crops, rather than just one.
Among projects on campus, the team helped to coordinate International Week at DeSales and host Senator for a Day and Dining for Success.
"Winning the regional championship is not just a morale booster," said Day. "It also shows future employers and business partners that when we work, we can produce tangible results while helping others."
Michael Krajsa, faculty member in the department of business at DeSales, serves as the DeSales SIFE team adviser. Father Bernard O'Connor, DeSales president, and Dr. Mohamed Latib, vice president for program and strategic development at DeSales, also were in attendance at the competition in Philadelphia.
Information concerning the SIFEorganization may be found on the SIFE website (http://www.sife.org). For more information on the DeSales SIFE team, contact Michael Krajsa at 610-282-1100, ext. 1856.
Press Release: DeSales SIFE Team Wins Regional Competition | Posted on: 4/6/2006
For more info:
Tom McNamara, Executive Director of Communications
DeSales University | 2255 Station Avenue | Center Valley, PA 18034
610.282.1100 x1219 | Tom.McNamara@desales.edu |
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