The University News

Issue date: 6/1/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Jacquelyn Hoermann

The UMKC Students in Free Enterprises (SIFE) team had much to celebrate at their year-end gathering on April 28.

The team brought home a first-place finish at the Dallas Regional in April.

SIFE is a multidisciplinary campus organization that allows students to utilize personal knowledge to create projects that improve their local communities.

Jason Patterson, vice-president of UMKC SIFE, explained that these projects allow SIFE team members to "implement programs that create real economic opportunities for members of their communities."

Patterson said each SIFE team must develop projects to teach the basics of the six SIFE criteria including, market economics, success skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, environmental sustainability and business ethics.

Sam Walton Fellow and Team Advisor Cary Clark kicked off the celebration by reading a letter from UMKC Chancellor Leo Morton.

The letter informed the team members and the audience that, "Donors recognize a winner when they see one, and they continue to support UMKC SIFE."

The UMKC SIFE team attended the SIFE National Championships in Philadelphia in May. Results were not known at the time of publication.

The winner of the National Championship has an opportunity to compete at the international level in Frankfurt, Germany.

Patterson ended the celebration with a note of encouragement.

"[Let's] kick some butt in nationals," Patterson said. "There are a lot of good teams, but we can take them on."

Becky Helms, SIFE U.S.A. representative, said she is excited for next year.

Helms went on to say that SIFE is a "true asset to have at UMKC, and will do great things."

Next year, the team plans to further improve some of their current projects and have a bigger outreach within the Kansas City area.

jhoermann@unews.com

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