March 17, 2009

Harding teams finalists in statewide business plan competition

SEARCY, Ark.⎯Two Harding University business teams were named Friday
as finalists in the statewide Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup
Graduate and Undergraduate Business Plan Competition. The teams were
selected from 56 entries representing 15 schools.

Semifinalists from seven Arkansas colleges will compete on Friday,
April 3, 2009, at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock. They will make an
oral presentation, followed by a question and answer session. Two
panels of five judges will determine the six finalists who will
compete on Saturday, April 4, in a final round of oral presentations.

Harding’s teams have been fierce contenders in the past, winning
first, second or third place every year since 2004. They have also won
technology and innovation awards. This year’s competitors will be no
different.

Team “Lights Out” will compete as an undergraduate semifinalist with a
proposal to utilize today’s technology and develop tomorrow’s new home
electrical systems to conserve energy. The team includes students
Steven Etchison, Nicole McNalty, Matt Slagter and Rebecca Townsend.

Team “Light Foot” will compete as a finalist for the innovation award
with an instrument to teach drivers how to save gas by amending their
driving habits. The team includes students Austin Grate, Jessica
Khoury, Keenan Kitchen and Jordan Pence. Both teams are advised by Dr.
Allen Frazier and associate professor Mike Emerson.

Three prizes will be awarded ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, to be
divided among team members. Each winning team’s faculty advisor(s)
will also receive a $1000 prize. A cash prize of $5,000 for the best
business plan involving innovation will also be awarded to one
undergraduate and one graduate team.  All winners will be announced on
Tuesday, April 28.

The Governor’s Cup began in 2001 as a collaborative project for
graduate and undergraduate students and is sponsored by the Arkansas
Economic Acceleration Foundation, an affiliate of the Arkansas Capital
Corporation, with support from Carlton & Associates, Stephens, Inc.,
and Acxiom.