Findlay’s Enactus Team Wins at Regional Competition

The University of Findlay’s Enactus team (formerly SIFE, Students in Free Enterprise) took first place in its league at the Enactus USA regional competition in Chicago on April 12.

The event was one of 11 Enactus USA regional competitions held across the United States in March and April. Students participating from The University of Findlay were Kenny Klatt (sophomore, Columbus), Austin Wilson (sophomore, West Liberty), Man Ying Xu (junior, China), Trisha Denniston (junior, Renner, S.D.), Chris Baden (junior, Continental), Fausto Bogran, (junior, Honduras), Zachary Armstrong (sophomore, Bellefontaine), David Willis (junior, Mansfield) and Nikhil Khanna (junior, San Diego, Calif.).

To enter the competition, students were required to put together a 17-minute video and narrative presentation outlining projects the team worked on during the past year. A five-minute question-and-answer session followed the presentation, which was judged by business professionals from across the United States. The teams were evaluated based on how successful they were at using business concepts to improve the quality of life and standard of living for those in need.

During the past year, the UF Enactus team has improved local businesses’ profitability and sustainability and created new products. Projects were funded, in part, through grants from Sam’s Club and Campbell Foods. Additionally, the UF Enactus team taught financial literacy at Findlay High School, Millstream Career Center and on the UF campus.

With a grant from Campbell’s, the Enactus team raised awareness of hunger in the community and partnered with local organizations including Chopin Hall, United Way and Sodexo to relieve hunger. In addition, UF Enactus partnered with Ohio businesses to develop or improve business plans, marketing plans, design websites and improve profitability.

Gregory Arburn, Ph.D., assistant professor of economics and finance is the team adviser.

The team will advance to the national level of Enactus competition at the Enactus USA National Exposition May 21-24 in Kansas City, Mo. Enactus is an international non-profit organization active on more than 1,500 university campuses in 48 countries.