Bowling Green, Ky. - Graduate and undergraduate teams from Western Kentucky University's Gordon Ford College of Business swept first place awards in the 41st Annual International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition.

The MBA graduate team of Doug Elliot, Leila Matthews, Oscar Medina and Randall Stathers, all of Bowling Green, and Christopher Barnes of White House, Tenn., was awarded first in the graduate division and first runner-up for business plans and reports.

"The competition has been the most rewarding experience of my college career," Elliot said. "The greatest benefit was the realistic opportunity to apply the academic concepts I've learned throughout the MBA program. I'm extremely grateful to Dean Robert Jefferson and the University for supporting this type of experience to students. It's invaluable."

The undergraduate team also was awarded first place in the April 14-17 competition in San Diego and received first runner-up for business plans and reports. The undergraduate team members are Jeff Zoglmann of Elizabethtown, Grant Jarnigan of Brentwood, Tenn., Brandon Karem of Bowling Green, Larry Martin of Russellville and Mary Skrivanek of Whites Creek, Tenn.

Zoglmann, Martin and Jarnigan also tied for first place in a stock market competition where individuals are given an imaginary $10,000 to invest in the stock of any companies in the competition. The students turned that initial investment into more than $244,000 in two simulated years.

WKU faculty advisers for the undergraduate and graduate teams are Dr. Robert Wharton and Dr. Linda Parry.

"WKU teams have been very successful in these annual competitions. In fact, this is the second time in the 41-year history of the competition that undergraduate and graduate teams from the same school have swept their divisions," Dr. Wharton said. "WKU teams in the 2001 competition were the first and only teams to achieve such a sweep, up to now.

"Dr. Parry and I believe the success of these teams -- against national and international competition, against major universities -- reflects on WKU's dedication to excellent teaching. The judges, most from private industry, were highly impressed with the students' skills and professionalism. We are too. We both believe experiences like this can be powerful tools for teaching important business concepts.

"We all use a lot of textbooks and cases in our classes and there's important stuff to know in there. But, let's face it, it can get pretty dry and abstract. Simulations help students make the link between classroom theory and real world practice. You can see the impact; the 'Wow! This is great' reaction from the students, and also in the confidence they develop as they begin to feel better prepared for their careers."

The graduate team created a company called Intelihome manufacturing home automation products that range from motion sensing light switches to remote controlled electrical outlets.

"The idea for the product was mimicked after several items produced by DESA International," student Leila Matthews said. "I contacted DESA President Keith Springs and he loved the idea so much that he provided us with sample product to take to San Diego for our company display and the judges were very impressed."

"As a business in a city with such a strong university, it's imperative that DESA support the efforts of Western's up and coming leaders," Springs said. "We employ many WKU graduates and bringing those individuals into our company after experiencing such a real-world, manufacturing simulation is very beneficial. In essence, the University is doing companies like DESA a great service by involving students in the competition because they get a real sense of what the manufacturing world is all about."

The undergraduate team created a company called Smart Bulbs, Inc., which manufactured a state-of-the-art "smart" light bulb. By utilizing infrared technology and heat sensors the "smart" bulb would change color when it was about to reach the end of its useful life. In addition the "smart" bulb produces a natural light that is easier on the eyes than the standard light bulb.

"We wanted to create an innovative product that would meet the consumer's everyday need and would be applicable domestically and abroad," Brandon Karem said.

In the computerized simulations' 10-week "remote" phase, teams submit decisions over the Internet. Then in the "intensive" phase, all teams gather for a three-day where they make more decisions, submit annual reports and make presentations to competition judges.

"As a student it is sometimes difficult to fully understand the scope of strategic business planning and its importance to the overall success of your company," Jeff Zoglmann said. "By participating in this simulation we were able to not only gain a greater understanding of the inner workings of a manufacturing company but the impact that strategic planning makes on the overall performance of the organization."

WKU business students will compete again next April in San Diego.

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Dr. Robert Wharton at (270) 745-5813.