March 17, 2008

SIFE team wins third place at national personal finance competition in Arizona

AMERICUS--Georgia Southwestern State University’s (GSW) Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team earned third place honors at the “Duel in the Desert” national personal financial case study competition March 6-9 in Tucson, Az. The Team won a trophy and a $1,000 prize at the contest hosted on University of Arizona’s campus. 

Georgia Southwestern’s trip to Arizona was preceded by a regional victory at the “Duel in the Swamp” hosted by Valdosta State the University in November. 

The schools in the competition included GSW, Boston College, California State University, College of Charleston, College of the Ozarks, Dakota State University, Drury University, Messiah College, Metropolitan State College of Denver, Regent University, Syracuse University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Dakota, Valdosta State University and Youngstown University.

Lead by advisor John Kooti, Ph.D., dean of GSW’s School of business and Thays Franca, GSW web developer, GSW SIFE’s competing students were Khendal Henry, Jenny Faircloth, AJ Kooti and Kristen Roberts.

The “Duel in the Desert” is funded by Take Charge America, a non-profit national consumer credit counseling company based in Phoenix, Az. Take Charge’s CEO Mike Hall is an avid supporter of the program.

“The ‘Duel in the Desert’ is an exceptional program that has quickly gained widespread national attention for its unique approach in offering solutions to financial challenges,” said Hall. “The students learn about personal finance, budgets and debt management, which are vital skills to their financial success.”

The teams were given a case study dealing with a family in financial distress.  In 36 hours, these students were required to research the situation and design a reasonable, workable and creative solution to the dilemma based on the family’s situation, economics, geography and resources.  They presented their results to a panel of expert judges who chose the best solution for the family’s financial situation. 

This program was developed to increase financial literacy among college students.  With credit card debt at a monstrous $2 trillion and escalating bankruptcies, students are able to enhance their awareness of money management through this case study analysis. 

For more information GSW SIFE, contact John Kooti at (229) 931-2090 or e-mail jgk@canes.gsw.edu.

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