PSE wins big at national sales and marketing convention
Released: April 7, 2008
As the saying goes, "everything is bigger in Texas." When it comes to winning, that saying rang true for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE) at the national sales and marketing convention last week in Dallas. PSE came away with some of the biggest wins in the group's history after competing against some of the top universities from across the nation.
Out of 72 competitors, two UW-Whitewater PSE members won $2,500 in scholarships. The Debbie Khalil Memorial Scholarship was awarded to sophomore Sarah Mielke and the Whan Memorial Scholarship was presented to senior Kristin Schwabe.
"Winning this scholarship is a great achievement for me," said Schwabe. "Since the main criteria for winning are PSE activities, I feel like I'm being rewarded for being a member of the organization that has been the best part of my college experience, and that feeling is indescribable."
UW-Whitewater also beat out the competition for the Top National Chapter: Amethyst Standing category. While PSE shined as a group, they succeeded individually as well. In addition to the Whan Scholarship, Schwabe earned the Whan Challenger Award, which is given to the individual collegiate member who demonstrated the ability to provide leadership to fellow students by serving as a role model.
The Rookie Salesperson of the Year award was presented to Bridget Kuske, which recognized the best freshman competitor in the nation in a sales role-play. The Top Project Manager Award was given to senior Michael Dodds for the PSE Pedal for Proceeds Bike Race that raised $2,600 in donations for Relay for Life.
"Being named the best leader for a project nationally is very humbling," said Dodds. "It shows that my work with this organization is being noticed by top professionals. I feel a lot of pride in my accomplishments with this organization and as a senior looking back, joining PSE was the best decision I made in my college career."
PSE members Dodds and senior Jeff Koch placed fourth nationally in the BOSS Simulation Games, and PSE won the Top National Award in the Case Study Competition.
"PSE's theme this year is "grow," and I saw that growth first-hand at the national convention in Dallas," said Marketing Professor Lois Smith. "I heard again and again from the judges how hard-working, sincere and capable our students were. It was great to see them recognized nationally for all their hard work." For more information on PSE, visit www.pse.org or contact Smith at 262-472-3020.
- Katie Rankin,rankinkd12@uww.edu
