RWC team competes nationally

Roberts Wesleyan College's SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) students were named fourth overall in the SIFE USA National Championship, beating out 164 other finalist schools across the country. At the May 23 national competition in Kansas City, teams were judged on how well they taught others the principles of free enterprise through yearlong community outreach projects.

The Roberts team, comprised of 50 students, organized nearly 30 local and worldwide projects designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs, struggling business owners, low-income families, and disadvantaged children experience success.

The team also won first place in an anti-piracy public service announcement contest designed by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and Warner Brothers, and coordinated by SIFE USA and Graceland University in Iowa. The Roberts SIFE team created a comprehensive anti-piracy campaign that included the design and production of a 60-second public service announcement. The team also created a Web site, www.endpiracy.net, a hub for people looking for information on anti-piracy and where to legally download music, movies and games. It also hosts a discussion board on the topic. The commercial can be viewed on this site as well.

The team was awarded $3,000 for its first place finish. The MPAA also showcases the winning commercial on its Web site, http://www.mpaa.org/Issues_EduOutreach_OnCampus.asp. Additional opportunities for national exposure for the commercial will be explored in the near future.

June 4, 2006