Students in Free Enterprise encourages students to take what they are learning in the classroom and apply it to real-life situations, and to use their knowledge to better their communities through educational outreach projects. Some of the projects presented by the Wesleyan SIFE Team included: an accounting ethics seminar, selling Kayamandi-bead jewelry to help support families in South Africa, helping fifth-graders at Central Elementary start a business and learn about entrepreneurship, providing entrepreneurial assistance in marketing for the Brazenhead Inn, teaching fellow college students about budgeting and the responsible use of credit, participating in investment seminars, and designing a workbook used to teach high school students the basics of investing.

Wesleyan SIFE students participating in the competition include Shawn Amory, Bill Bandzuch, Matt Brothers, Mary Bruen, Allison Demento, Katie Hodgdon, Dan Kasten, Nick Klus, Josh Lisac, Steve McGrew, and Karim Motani.

Teams were judged on the effectiveness of their projects during a 24-minute presentation and were evaluated on creativity and innovation, results of education programs, success in utilizing resources and documentation of activities. Wesleyan SIFE students also met with dozens of corporate representatives from the Cincinnati business community to discuss job opportunities. Regional champions named at 21 competitions held around the country will present their projects at the 2003 SIFE USA National Exposition, hosted by the Kansas City Business Community, May 11-13 in Missouri. The national champion in the four-year division will travel to Frankfurt, Germany to compete at the third annual SIFE World Cup on October 12-14, 2003.

Dr. Scott Bellamy serves as advisor for the Wesleyan SIFE Team. Dr. Bellamy was named a Sam M. Walton Free Enterprise Fellow in recognition of his leadership and support of the SIFE program at Wesleyan. “I’m very proud of our SIFE team,” said Dr. Bellamy. “Collectively, they have volunteered more than 1,000 hours of their time, using their talents and abilities to make a positive difference in the lives of others in our community and beyond.”

Founded in 1975 and active on more than 1,400 college and university campuses in 33 countries, SIFE is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with business and higher education to provide college students the opportunity to make a difference and to develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise. For more information, contact SIFE World Headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, at 1-800-677-SIFE or Dr. Scott Bellamy at (304) 473–8477, or visit www.SIFE.org.