WSU's Financial Planning Students make History at National Invitational

Raj Soin College of Business students once again achieved top honors at the 2008 Society for Advancement of Management nationwide case competition. This is the sixth consecutive year that Wright State has placed in the top three in the nation and surpassing all other colleges in the history of the competition.

The MBA graduate team consisting of Rebecca Jantonio ( Springboro, Ohio), Yen La ( Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam), Jeff Storrer ( Bryan, Ohio), Amr Gado ( Sidney, Ohio) and Harry Benson ( Dayton, Ohio) placed third in their division.The undergraduate team including Matthew Janning ( Loveland, Ohio), Brian Dubbs ( Beavercreek, Ohio), Diana Schotz (West Carollton, Ohio), Amanda Drake ( Miamisburg, Ohio), and Ryan Carpenter ( Troy, Ohio) placed second in their division. Janning was also elected to the SAM Board of Directors at the annual meeting.

This year’s national competition focused on Krispy Kreme. Over 40 teams competed in the finals held in Washington DC. The students were judged on a basis of clear analysis, in- depth decision making, effective communication skills and professionalism. The students’ analysis and recommendations addressed the company’s high fixed costs, rapid store expansion, diluted brand image, and a limited product line. The two teams also developed an implementation plan to turn the company a leader in the market.

Each team worked countless hours in order to perfect their recommendations and presentations. According to MBA team member Jeff Storrer, “Our team consisted of vastly diverse individuals with varying concentrations and experience in business. We were able to utilize these broad perspectives and team skills to gain national recognition for once again for our business program. And in today’s complex business environment effective team collaboration is what it takes to compete at the high possible level of performance.”

“It required a great investment of everyone’s time, energy, particular expertise, and even patience, but the results were worth the effort. I honestly feel extremely honored to have been a part of this team and the program.” added fellow team member, Harry Benson.

“Both the graduate and undergraduate teams had tremendous drive and initiative in preparing for and competing in the National SAM Case Competition this year,” said Lisa Crawford, lecturer in the department of management and the team advisor. “I am deeply proud of all their accomplishments.”

“I am very proud of our student’s accomplishments,” said Berkwood Farmer, Ph.D., and dean of the college. “This competition allows our students to develop their leadership and analytical skills and proves that they can compete with other top- notch schools in the nation and come out on top.”

Editors Note:

Jantonio is from Springboro, Ohio and a full-time MBA student working as a consultant for the Small Business Development Center at the Raj Soin College of Business

La is from Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam an MBA and Masters of Social and Applied Economics.

Storrer is from Bryan, Ohio and a full-time MBA student with a concentration in Project Management.

Gado, a full-time working professional is from Sidney, Ohio and a part-time MBA student concentrating in Finance and International Business.

Benson is from Dayton, Ohio and travels internationally for his full-time position. He is concentrating in international business for his MBA.

Janning, from Loveland, Ohio is a major in accounting and finance with a minor in international trade.

Dubbs is an accounting and finance major from Beavercreek.

Schotz is from West Carollton, Ohio and is a management major.

Drake is an HR and Business management major from Miamisburg.

Carpenter is from Troy and is a management major.