FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2008

For more information:
Bob Edwards
Public Relations Department Assistant
Glenville State College
Glenville, West Virginia
(304) 462-7361x7610

Glenville, WV—Four members of the Glenville State College Students in Free Enterprise traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina to compete in the ‘Duel in the Queen City.’ The event, sponsored by Take Charge America and hosted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, was held January 17-19. GSC was invited to participate in the regional competition along with West Virginia Wesleyan College, Anderson University of South Carolina, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, the University of South Carolina, and the College of Charleston in South Carolina.

The SIFE team members from GSC were senior Michelle Kight of Glenville, freshmen Dan Nary of Calhoun County, senior Donnie Carpenter of Charleston, and junior Amber Childers of Clay County.

The competition consisted of each team being presented a financial management case study of a real-life situation and was allowed thirty-six hours to develop a financial plan and prepare a presentation. The GSC team finished as runner-ups in the competition winning $500. Anderson University won the competition and will advance to the national finals. “I think we all learned a great deal. The competition gave us a better understanding of real-world personal finances,” said Michelle Kight, president of the GSC SIFE chapter.

There are 1,700 SIFE chapters in 47 countries around the world including 950 in the United States. SIFE organizations are challenged to do community outreach programs that help develop market economics, success skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and business ethics. GSC SIFE members visit local high schools to help promote business ethics, work with elementary schools to teach children about entrepreneurship and are working on a project designed to teach high school students about personal finances.

The GSC SIFE chapter has less than ten members and is currently trying to recruit new members. To be a member of SIFE, you do not need to be a business major. SIFE offers valuable experiences for students in any field.

For more information about the GSC SIFE, contact Dr. Elizabeth Oppe, Associate Professor of Business at (304) 462-7361 ext. 7256.