Source: Kathy Brockway, 785-826-2695, kjbrock@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Natalie Blair, 785-826-2642, nblair@k-state.edu

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS: K-STATE SALINA STUDENTS IN FREE ENTERPRISE TEAM TAKES PART IN NATIONAL COMPETITION

SALINA -- For the fourth time in seven years, Kansas State University Salina's Students In Free Enterprise team competed against 175 other teams from around the country in the Students in Free Enterprise USA National Exposition in Minneapolis, Minn., May 10-12.

"The national expo is a fantastic experience for our students," said Kathy Brockway, associate professor of business and one of the team's advisers. "They compete against their peers from all over the country, network with executives from some of the top companies in the nation, and attend a career fair that focuses on organizations who specifically recruit students who are active in Students in Free Enterprise. It's not uncommon for a competitor to walk away with a job offer."

The team's major projects this year included sponsoring a land-mine detecting rat through the HeroRAT program, helping local hotel-owner Shamir Bhakta make his Quality Inn more eco-friendly by installing high-efficiency toilets, expanding their coffee business by 40 percent, and increasing personal finance awareness in local high school and college students. They also hosted award-winning designer Justin McClure, owner of JustinMcClure.tv, as a campus guest lecturer.

Representing K-State Salina at the national expo were:

Trista Gorrell, junior in digital media, Centerville; Oscar Rodriguez, sophomore in computer network systems technology, Garden City; Cliff Kramer, senior in technology management, Goff; Grant Swinehart, senior in professional pilot, Norwich; Brett Cooper, junior in technology management, Salina; Sarah Woodruff, senior in technology management, Wamego; and Bryan Valliere, junior in professional pilot, Wichita.

From out of state: Tyler Lewis, freshman in professional pilot, Aurora, Colo.; and Kristin Scheele, senior in technology management, Odell, Neb.