K-State Finance Scholars win Olin Impact Case Competition

Winners of the Olin Impact Case Competition, from left: Charlie DeZube, Max Roberts, Abby Colburn and Landyn Luttrell. | Download this photo.

By Ruthie Gergeni
College of Business Administration Communications and Marketing

Monday, March 3, 2025

MANHATTAN — Four Kansas State University Finance Scholars recently took first place in the undergraduate division of the Olin Impact Case Competition at Washington University in St. Louis' Olin Business School.

Team members, all seniors in finance in the College of Business Administration, are Max Roberts, Olathe; Charlie DeZube, Overland Park; Landyn Luttrell, Shawnee; and Abby Colburn, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. The team received a $5,000 prize to be used toward scholarships.

The team's win marks the first time K-State has participated in this event. Only five of the 34 teams who completed the first round of the competition were invited to compete in the final in-person round at Washington University.

For the competition, which focused on patient capital and long-term investment strategies, the team developed a private equity model with a 15-20-year horizon, combining an evergreen fund with a holding company structure. This approach aimed to drive sustainable growth while maximizing returns over time. The project targeted agricultural processing, particularly permanent crops, to generate long-term value in an underinvested sector.

"Participation in finance competitions is an important requirement of the K-State Finance Scholars Program, supported by the Gates Capital Management Center for Financial Analysis," said Sabuhi Sardarli, director of the center. "These competitions provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges and engage with industry professionals. Abby, Landyn, Max and Charlie prepared an impressive submission, developing a blueprint for a long-term private equity investment model. Finance Scholars Program Coordinator Julia Parcell and I are proud of their hard work and accomplishments in this competition."

The K-State Finance Scholars Program is a premier initiative designed to prepare high-achieving finance students for careers in top finance sectors. Through specialized training, mentorship and exclusive opportunities, the program equips students with advanced financial knowledge, technical skills and professional development. Participants gain access to alumni networking events, company visits, finance competitions, resume and interview coaching, and industry workshops. By combining rigorous education with hands-on experiences, the K-State Finance Scholars Program empowers students to excel in competitive internship and career opportunities.

###