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April 16, 2007
LIVINGSTON,
Ala.—The
University of West Alabama SIFE (Students in Free
Enterprise) team returned to Livingston as winners
after participating in the Atlanta SIFE USA Regional
Competition on April 4-5. UWA placed for the ninth
consecutive year, earning second runner-up at the
event, one of 17 SIFE USA Regional Competitions
being held across the United States in March and
April.
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SIFE team
members, from left,
Giuliana De Francesco, Chris Robinson,
Brent Bolden, Veronica Beasley, Chasity
Taylor and Storey Rowell |
“We
are so proud of our SIFE team, who earned
recognition out of a total of 63 competing teams,”
said Dr. Linda Carr, dean of the College of
Business. “It is truly an honor for the team and for
the University.”
UWA’s SIFE team earned recognition for its pair of
on-campus seminars designed to help smooth the
transition from parental-supported to
self-supporting individuals by teaching personal
financial management skills. The seminars, organized
and publicized by the SIFE team and led by UWA Small
Business Development Center Director Ken Walker,
focused on financial tools, credit and debt.
UWA
team members include senior Veronica Beasley,
Monroeville; senior Brent Bolden, Chelsea; freshman
Giuliana De Francesco, Sao Paulo, Brazil; freshman
Chris Robinson, York; senior Chasity Taylor,
Citronelle; and senior Storey Rowell, Selma.
SIFE
is an international non-profit organization active
on more than 1,400 university campuses in 48
countries. SIFE teams create economic opportunities
in their communities by organizing outreach projects
that focus on market economics, entrepreneurship,
personal financial success skills and business
ethics.
The
West Alabama team is also participating in several
other programs that are having an impact in the
Black Belt. The students served as facilitators in
an entrepreneurship class, preparing the
participants to tackle the ethical decisions that
most business owners face. The SIFE team is also
assisting the UWA Small Business Development Center
by serving as researchers and consultants for a
Community and Economic Impact Grant team for
Uniontown, Ala. Under the supervision of a
governmental contractor and city planner, the
project consists of developing and analyzing a
strategic plan for the Perry County town.
“The students will obtain data on Uniontown by
visiting the town and collecting personal data as
well as taking photos, administering surveys and
attending town meetings,” said Dr. Grover H.
Sheffield, SIFE advisor. “This is a great learning
opportunity for our SIFE members, enabling them to
receive some great work experience while serving the
Black Belt.”
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