Walton M.B.A. Team Competes in SEC M.B.A. Case Competition

Photo by Jim Bailey

M.B.A. students (l-r) Haley Cleous, Phil Keil, Ash Ganapathiraju and Clinton Rhodes represented the Sam M. Walton College of Business during the 4th Southeastern Conference M.B.A. Case Competition held April 7-9 at the University of Arkansas.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A team of four M.B.A. students from the Sam M. Walton College Business competed in the fourth Southeastern Conference M.B.A. Case Competition held April 7-9 on the University of Arkansas campus.

The Walton team of Haley Cleous, Phil Keil, Ash Ganapathiraju and Clinton Rhodes had 24 hours to create a business plan to a case presented by Henkel Corp., a multinational company that produces consumer and industrial products and whose executives served as judges of the competition.

All 14 SEC universities participated in the event with the University of Alabama bringing home the top prize. The University of Florida placed second, Texas A&M University third and Mississippi State University fourth.

"I was impressed by the caliber of the students who represented the University of Arkansas and the SEC," said Matthew A. Waller, interim dean of the Walton College. "All of the M.B.A. teams presented quality solutions to a leading international company's business challenge. Each member of the 14 teams reflects the outstanding business sophistication and talent we have in the SEC."

Other awards given during the divisional rounds included Best Presenter and Best Q&A.

Sarah Gardener from Louisiana State University, Katie Lamberth from the University of Alabama, Lillian Niakan from Texas A&M University and Kate O'Hara from the University of Florida were named Best Presenters for their divisions.

The Best Q&A Awards were earned by Abhinav Bhattacharya from the University of Alabama, Sarah Crook from the University of Tennessee, Kendall Daniel from Texas A&M University and Carew Ferguson from Mississippi State University.

This marks the fourth year for the SEC M.B.A. Case Competition, which provides an opportunity for SEC business schools to showcase their students' skills at solving simulated, real-world problems that cover the spectrum of business disciplines. The 2017 SEC M.B.A. Case Competition will be held at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

A complete list of winners from the 2016 competition is available at www.thesecu.com.

About SECU
The Southeastern Conference sponsors, supports and promotes collaborative higher education programs and activities involving administrators, faculty and students at its fourteen member universities. The goals of the SECU academic initiative include highlighting the endeavors and achievements of SEC faculty and universities; advancing the merit and reputation of SEC universities outside of the traditional SEC region; identifying and preparing future leaders for high-level service in academia; increasing the amount and type of education abroad opportunities available to SEC students; and providing opportunities for collaboration among SEC university personnel. To connect with SECU online - www.TheSECU.com; on Facebook - TheSECU; on Twitter - @TheSECU; on Instagram - @TheSECUniversity; and on YouTube - SECUniversity.

About the University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.
 

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