One after the other, teams of University of Mary Washington students presented their case to a panel of executive judges.
Visuals depicting balance sheets, gross profit margins and financial analyses flashed onto the big screen in the Hurley Convergence Center’s Digital Auditorium, where five groups – 17 students in all – participated in the fall 2024 College of Business Case Competition.
The event showcased the concepts and skillsets business students collect throughout their time at UMW, with teams from the 400-level Strategic Management course coming together to analyze a business scenario and compete for bragging rights and a cash prize. Judges – Andrew Blate ’04 and Craig Schneibolk, co-owners of remodeling company Beautiful Home Services who led the charge in establishing the endowed fund for the annual award money, along with product strategy consultant Travis Bjorklund ’02 – doled out a total of $4,000 to the three top-placing teams.
“You’re going to be in front of boards of directors and investors and advisors very, very soon,” Blate said to the students, most of them seniors. “You need to have a little taste of this kind of competitiveness.” Read more.