University of Pittsburgh at Titusville SIFE Team

Achieves National Ranking

TITUSVILLE, July 5 - The University of Pittsburgh at Titusville’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Team achieved national ranking when they were selected as second runner-up in their league at the 2006 SIFE USA National Exposition.  The exposition was hosted by the Kansas City Business Community May 21-23.  This award places the Pitt-Titusville SIFE Team in the top third of all schools competing in the two year league.

“This is an excellent achievement for our SIFE Team,” says Melanie Anderson, SIFE Advisor, Sam M. Walton Fellow, and interim vice president of academic affairs at UPT.  “Our SIFE Team worked on 20 projects designed to help students and our community learn about the free enterprise system.  Our efforts and results were recognized at regional and national competitions.  Our small team competed effectively against SIFE Teams from universities much larger in size and with greater funding.”

The SIFE USA National Exposition Competition provides SIFE teams with the opportunity to compete against each other and ultimately determine which team had the most impact improving the quality of life and standard of living for members of its community by educating others about the five SIFE educational topics:  Market Economics, Entrepreneurship, Success Skills, Financial Literacy and Business Ethics.  The competitive format consists of a written annual report and a live 24 minute audio-visual presentation, which the teams present to a panel of entrepreneurs and executives serving as judges.

In the United States, the competition process begins with the SIFE USA Regional Competitions.  SIFE Teams are invited to attend the regional competitions based on their projects and initiative in addressing the five SIFE education topics.  Winners at the regional competitions then advance to the SIFE USA National Exposition.

In addition to competition, SIFE students have the opportunity to interview for jobs and internships during a two-day Career Opportunity Fair with representatives from more than 60 companies.

The UPT SIFE Team presented 20 projects during their presentation.  The projects impacted over 10,369 individuals, including elementary, middle school, high school, and college students, as well as senior citizens and other community members.  Examples of the projects include:

§         SAFE – Seniors Against Fraud via Education.

§         Weakest Link – informed college students how to responsibly use credit cards.

§         Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – encouraged middle school students to begin saving for the future.

SIFE is a non-profit organization active on more than 1,700 college and university campuses in 42 countries and territories.  SIFE works in partnership with businesses and higher education to provide students with the opportunity to make a difference and to develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise.

For more information, contact Anderson at 814-827-4415 or visit www.SIFE.org.

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