FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 4, 2008

Webster University Sife Team Wins Regional Competition

ST. LOUIS– The Webster University Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team holds the title of Regional Champion following its win at the 2008 SIFE USA Regional Competition in Cincinnati, Ohio, on March 28. The team now advances to the national level of competition at SIFE’s National Exposition May 13 – May 15 in Chicago, Ill.

SIFE is an international non-profit organization active on more than 1,400 university and college campuses in 48 countries. Working in partnership with business and higher education, SIFE mobilizes university students around the world to utilize knowledge learned in the classroom to address real-world business and economic issues in their communities. SIFE students form teams on their university campuses and develop outreach projects that teach market economics, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, personal success skills and business ethics.

At the regional competition, Webster’s SIFE team presented a report on the 10 community outreach projects it conducted over the past academic year to a panel of business leaders. The Webster team’s projects included teaching elementary school students the basics of personal finance, helping retailers and service providers in St. Louis’ Cherokee Street Business District sharpen their communication and business skills, and advising college students on proper business etiquette.

“Being named a SIFE Regional Champion tells the world that Webster students are making a difference in the communities where they live and work,” said Dr. Barrett Baebler, SIFE faculty advisor and assistant professor in Webster’s School of Business and Technology. “In a world where too few people want to get involved, Webster’s SIFE students are giving countless hours to help others. I am very proud to be associated with such a great group of individuals.”

Team members include Richard Bardenheier, David DeBord, Tim Jackson, Wei Li, Samantha Mills, Amanda Palasky and Jason Pickart. They were joined at the regional competition by of group of consultants from Webster, including Dr. Baebler and SIFE members Nakesia Hardy, Gina Runde, Sara Gunn, Zach Rice, Luis Blanco, Nathan Nelson, Stephanie Lange and Mark Albrecht.

“I applaud the great work SIFE is doing throughout our community and the outstanding asset these students and their advisor are as ambassadors for Webster University,” said Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande, dean of Webster’s School of Business and Technology.

Webster University (www.webster.edu) is an international, multi- campus university, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo. Founded in 1915 as a small private college, Webster now offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five schools and colleges in 108 domestic and international campus locations. The student population of more than 20,000 ranges in age from traditional college-age students to adult learners, and represents 150 nationalities. The university is committed to excellence in teaching, to joining theory and practice, to small class sizes, and to educating students to be lifelong learners, fully prepared to participate in an increasingly international society.

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