SU-SIFE wins national ‘Duel in the Desert’ competition

SU-SIFE wins national ‘Duel in the Desert’ competition March 13, 2008Amy Schmitzaemehrin@syr.edu

On March 6-9, four Martin J. Whitman School of Management students and members of Syracuse University’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) ventured to the University of Arizona to compete in the “Duel in The Desert” financial case study competition and won first place.

“Duel in the Desert” is a national competition organized by the University of Arizona’s SIFE team and sponsored by Take Charge America. The SU-SIFE team qualified for the competition in January by winning one of the eight regional competitions in Boston.

During the competition, the SU-SIFE team dueled against 16 regional-champion teams from across the country for $19,000 in prize money. The SU-SIFE team members are seniors Lauren Echavarria and April Hace, and sophomores Dan Kinney and Michelle Eifu.

“I am so proud of our four Whitman students who went all the way to the national championship and won first place,” says Amanda Nicholson, assistant professor of retail management and faculty advisor to SU-SIFE. “A major trophy is involved, which April is probably still clutching. After all of their hard work, it is so rewarding to take the national first place prize.”

Founded in 1975, SIFE is a global nonprofit organization that helps students develop communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise on their campuses, in their communities and beyond. SIFE also emphasizes teamwork, leadership and community outreach. With more than 1,600 participating colleges and universities in 40 countries and territories, SIFE is one of the largest university-based organizations in the world.

For more information about the SU-SIFE team, contact student April Hace at afhace@syr.edu or Amanda Nicholson at agnichol@syr.edu.