UTC SIFE Team does it again!

The UTC chapter of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) recently competed against 21 schools in the SIFE Regional Competition in Birmingham, Alabama and for the third consecutive year the team was awarded with the Regional Champion title. SIFE is a non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to teaching the principles of Free Enterprise and democracy in the United States and worldwide.

"The members of Students in Free Enterprise all perform educational outreach programs to middle school and high school students on a voluntary basis. They represent UTC in the best sense. The fact that they invest so much time in these and other activities is a testament to their motivation, work ethic, and independent spirit. They are exceptional students of whom we and their parents can be proud," said Dr. John Alvis, SIFE faculty advisors and Clark Professor of Accounting.

UTC SIFE members include Diane Lloyd, Mulloy Robertson, Alex Michshenko and Michael Burge. Team members presented the annual report, featuring 8 highly competitive projects completed this year. Among the projects was the continuation of the two-year outreach program “Together We Grow,” encouraging continuing education for children and adults.

“The judges were pleased to see the substantial progress our team has made in its three-year history. They were also impressed by the impact our projects had on our native community,” said Michshenko, president of UTC chapter.

Looking ahead, the UTC SIFE team plans:

Continued collaboration with Junior Achievement, Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce on projects of community outreach.
Continued commitment to technology
Collaboration with other SIFE teams nationwide and internationally. Project ideas have been exchanged with SIFE team Kazakhstan this spring. It is UTC SIFE’s intention to continue to work closely with this team in experience exchange/training area.
Continued cooperate with other on-campus organizations in identifying the needs of the community. Take a closer look at the UTC SIFE team:

Mishenko was raised in Central Asia. Fluent in four languages, then eighteen – year old Mishenko appeared on Kazakhstani national television every Friday, commenting on the development of credit card implementation program. In 2000, Winrock Int’l, headquartered in Morrilton, AK., offered him an interpreter position for a support program. While working closely with Winrock, Mishenko was a student at a private Economics Research University “Prestige” in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In 2001, Mishenko teamed up with Kazakhstan Fund for the Support of Entrepreneurs, a local microlending agency that provides financial assistance to farmers and SMEs (small/medium entrepreneurs), working in agriculture – related industries. In 2001 Alex Mishenko came to UTC, where he presently pursues his undergraduate degree in Economics. He is the SIFE Service Leadership Award Winner.

Robertson, a senior at UTC, is a political science major and business administration minor. He has been involved in several organizations on campus including the Student Government Association, Black Student Alliance, Society for the Advancement of Management, and Students in Free Enterprise. Robertson was nominated for a SIFE Service Leadership Award

Loyd was born and raised in Chattanooga. She is on full scholarship at UTC, pursuing her accounting degree with a GPA of 3.8/4.0. She has been a leader in various extra-curricular activities including UTC Rowing Team, and the Treasurer of the Omega Phi Alpha Servitude Sorority. Loyd has been offered the opportunity to intern in London, England this summer. She is currently a Resident Assistant in student housing at UTC. Lloyd was nominated for a SIFE Service Leadership Award

Burge is a new asset to the UTC SIFE team. A senior, double majoring in Economics and Spanish with a minor in Criminal Justice, he joined the team in the spring of 2004 and has been a valuable resource. Recently, Burge was inducted into the International Economics Honor Society Omicron Delta Epsilon.