Siloam Springs, Ark. (May 18, 2009) – John Brown University’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team placed fourth among all participating colleges and universities across the U.S. at the National USA SIFE Exposition held May 11-13 in Philadelphia, PA.

SIFE is an international organization that encourages university students around the world to use their education to make a difference in their communities as socially responsible business leaders. SIFE has active clubs on more than 1,300 college and university campuses around the world.

“I am proud of the accomplishments of this team,” said Joe Walenciak, JBU business professor and SIFE advisor. “They have worked hard, and they have changed the lives of people in amazing ways, from young people in NW Arkansas to garbage collectors in Nicaragua and Guatemala. I am amazed at how they have grown as human beings through this process. To place fourth in the nation is an exceptional accomplishment”

The road to the national competition began earlier this spring when a total of 370 SIFE teams from across the nation competed at one of 16 SIFE USA Regional Competitions. After being named regional champion in April, the JBU team joined 137 other SIFE teams from across the nation at the national competition.

The JBU team was also named a national finalist in two of the six individualized competitions – Environmental Sustainability and Team Sustainability – placing them in the top twenty teams in the country for each category.

“In my opinion, our students were flawless in their presentation,” said Walenciak. “They put so much time, energy, and passion into their work and it showed in how well they did. We may not have the big trophy, but it is great to know that JBU is standing toe to toe with the big guys.”

During the National USA SIFE Exposition, JBU President Dr. Chip Pollard was selected as this year's Most Supportive University President by SIFE. Pollard received his award during the opening ceremony of the competition. Back in February JBU SIFE students put together a nomination that represented the team’s gratitude for Pollard’s support. Pollard was selected for the prestigious award from among hundreds of colleges and university presidents that were nominated.

To watch the Presentation click HERE

Kara Bird, Staff Writer (April 16, 2009)

The Students in Free Enterprise team isn't slowing down to celebrate last week's success at the Rogers, Ark. SIFE Regional Competition. ...(Show full article)undefined

The team was named a National finalist in the categories of environmental sustainability and team sustainability. The team will advance to the National Competition as one of the top 20 teams in the nation in these two areas. In addition to this recognition, the team also received a 1,000-dollar award for each category.

In the area of environmental sustainability, the team was recognized for their development and implementation of the inter-dorm Captain Planet competition. Students in each dorm were encouraged to save energy by turning off lights, unplugging unused electronic devices, and reducing their use of heat and air-conditioning.

At the end of each month facilities measured the amount of energy used in each dorm and compared it to the amount of energy used the previous month. The dorm that demonstrated the most savings at the end of each month was financially rewarded.

Joe Walenciak, professor of business and director of SIFE, said the competition has been very successful.

"We got some data from facility services about what kind of energy was being saved, and it's pretty phenomenal what people are doing," Walenciak said.

Team sustainability is the second area the team was recognized for. The team presented an explanation of their support system, which includes John Brown University faculty members, media coverage, a business advisory board, and gifts and grants from supporting companies. Walenciak said the purpose of this category is to demonstrate why the JBU SIFE program will still be here next year.

Junior Natlalia Ramirez, SIFE secretary, said the last few weeks of the semester will be a busy time for the team as they prepare for Nationals, which will take place May 10-12 in Philadelphia.

"We're very passionate about our story and what we're trying to say about the lives that we've changed, but they also want to hear numbers, and that's what we're trying to incorporate a little bit more," Ramirez said.

Walenciak said the JBU SIFE team has been one of the top eight teams at Nationals every year but one since 2003.

http://advocate.jbu.edu/archived_editions.aspx?edition=2009/04-16