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UNCP's SIFE team
moves on the national finals
By Sheri Sides
If Cammie Hunt was
a basketball coach, she'd be in the hall of fame.
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SIFE Team
- Front row from left: Patrick Harrison, Genevieve Lebeau, Christy
Blue, Sheri Sides, Jolee Fedak, Telisa Goins, Danna Bullard and
faculty advisor Cammie Hunt. Back row from left: Paul Fowler,
Shereene Fulmer, David Jones, Thomas Brewington, Venessa Jones,
LeShari Hancock and Shannon Ward.
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This spring, the
business professor from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke,
led her SIFE club (Students in Free Enterprise) into the national championships
for the fifth straight year.
In regional competition
on April 5, UNCP's SIFE team defeated rivals like the University of
South Carolina to advance to the finals in Kansas City, Mo., on May
23-25. Twenty-five teams from North and South Carolina universities
battled in Charlotte for a chance to become regional champions.
Dr. Eric Dent, Dean
of UNCP's School of Business, praised the accomplishment.
"What makes
this story even more remarkable is that UNCP has had a SIFE team for
five years under the direction of Cammie Hunt, and we have advanced
to the nationals all five years," Dr. Dent said. "I don't
have to tell you how improbable this feat is."
SIFE is a non-profit
organization that brings students and faculty advisors together to teach
the principles of free enterprise to businesses and individuals, from
elementary school children to senior citizens, Hunt said.
"UNCP's SIFE
members have developed leadership skills by creating and carrying out
plans to improve the standard of living in their community," Hunt
said. "I was proud to be a part of such a motivated and professional
group of students."
Teams were evaluated by a group of judges based on criteria, such as
the effects of their volunteer work in the community, their ability
to present and communicate details of their programs, and how they addressed
issues regarding a free market economy.
The UNCP SIFE team's
presentation included a PowerPoint presentation with video clips and
a four-page, color annual report to present the programs the club created
and worked on.
"I am extremely
proud of all of our business faculty and staff who prepare these students
so well that they can bring their education together and achieve such
an accomplishment," Dr. Dent said.
SIFE competitions
also offer the opportunity to speak to employment recruiters from a
variety of companies, who set up at a job fair at the regional competition.
"It was good
to be able to speak to recruiters and to find out what they are looking
for in potential candidates," SIFE member Paul Fowler said. "They
know that SIFE members are self-starters and are passionate about what
they do and companies notice you for that."
If UNCP's SIFE team
wins the national championship in Kansas City, they could go on to the
international competition in Barcelona, Spain in September.
UNCP's SIFE travel
team includes: Christy Blue, Thomas Brewington, Deanna Bullard, Paul
Fowler, Shereene Fulmer, Telisa Goins, Lashari Hancock, Patrick Harrison,
David Jones, Vanessa Jones, Genevieve Lebeau, Sheri Sides and Shannon
Ward.
For more information about UNCP's SIFE program, contact Prof. Hunt at
910.521.6466 or email her at cammie.hunt@uncp.edu.
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