Carroll business students win regional competition

Eight Carroll University students, competing as a team, won a regional competition for business majors and will participate in a national competition in May.

The students, members of the Carroll chapter of Enactus, beat about 60 other teams comprised of about 1,000 students at the regional competition April 12, 2013, in Chicago. Carroll competed against some larger schools, including the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign and the University of Iowa. The national competition is May 21-23 in Kansas City, Mo. 

Enactus is an organization of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a more sustainable world. About 500 university chapters are active in 38 countries.

“This is really a talented, motivated, hard-working group,” said Michael Levas, associate professor of business at Carroll and the group’s adviser. “Bringing home the regional trophy is a testament to their hard work. We are aiming to be at least a top 20 school at the national competition.”

Carroll’s team included Erica Larson, a senior from Waukesha; Tim Holajn, a senior from Gurenee, Ill.; Huong Vu, a sophomore from Hanoi, Vietnam; Neal Klement, a junior from Waukesha; Taylor Bingaman, a junior from Kenosha, Wis.; Jordyn Herzog, a sophomore from Abrams, Wis.; Shenbaga Shankar, a sophomore from Milwaukee; and Ji In Shin, a student from Seoul, South Korea.
 
The competition includes a 17-minute presentation of projects the group did throughout the year. Judging is based on projects that had the greatest impact on the local and global communities. Using a $1,500 grant from Wal-Mart, Carroll’s Enactus team:

• Organized a Women in Entrepreneurship workshop, which inspired women to think about starting their own business.

• Conducted a drive that recycled worn but usable shoes to developing countries to be resold in local markets, helping fledgling entrepreneurs improve their lives.

• Held educational presentations on micro financing initiatives and sustainability at local high schools.

• Volunteered at Junior Achievement in Milwaukee.

• Organized a fair trade initiative project with the Plowshare Center of Waukesha, which helped promote community and campus knowledge on fair trade practices.