Whitman students take part in annual transportation competition

Whitman students take part in annual transportation competitionFebruary 03, 2009Amy Schmitzaemehrin@syr.edu

Five undergraduate students in the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University participated in “Operation Stimulus” as part of the 28th Annual Transportation Forum, hosted Jan. 22-24 by the Colorado Transportation Community and the Denver Transportation Club. The Operation Stimulus conference provides a forum for speakers from leading industries, educators and government officials to make presentations and interact with high school and college students and people representing all elements of the transportation industry.

A total of 12 colleges and universities competed in this year’s competition. The undergraduate students who made up the Whitman team are seniors Carl Purnell, Kevin Martin, and Brandon Camperlino, and juniors Tessa MacDougall and Michael Harney.

This year’s theme, “Global Crossroads: The Future of Transportation,” focused on competing and prospering in a global economy. The student case competition revolved around the distribution of a high-tech phone in Europe. The winning team came from Ohio State University.

“When I was selected to participate in the Operation Stimulus case competition, I knew it would be an outstanding opportunity,” says Harney. “Participating in the competition allowed me to apply and expand my knowledge of supply chain management. By speaking with successful professionals in the supply chain field, I learned what it takes to excel in such a career. While the case competition itself was a great experience, the unforeseen benefits of participating in Operation Stimulus weigh even higher. Opportunities like these are what make a Whitman education so admirable.”

“The Whitman team worked very hard in a stressful environment, where all the rival schools take the competition seriously,” says Gary La Point, assistant professor of supply chain management. “I am very proud of our team and their participation.”

For more information or to set up an interview, contact Amy Mehringer, Whitman School director of communications, at (315) 443-3834 or aemehrin@syr.edu.