Tommie Business

The Schulze School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business is pleased to announce the second annual Fowler Business Concept Challenge, with a top prize of a $10,000 scholarship.

Students of all majors can compete individually or in teams of no more than four. Entries will register in either the Undergraduate or Graduate Division. Undergraduate Division teams must comprise all undergraduate students. Teams registering in the Graduate Division must have at least one currently registered UST graduate student (master’s or doctoral level) on the team. Other team members may be currently registered UST undergraduate students.

Finalists will be invited to present their qualifying plan on October 22. Entries will be judged on:

1. Originality (The business idea is unique)
2. Clear and compelling value proposition (The team has demonstrated there is a legitimate, recognized need and provided an appropriate solution)
3. Competitive advantage (The proposed business creates more value for customers than alternative solutions)
4. Market opportunity (Evidence of adequate market size and creation of a viable business model)
5. Feasibility (There is a reasonable prospect of funding and successful implementation)

Each team will create and submit a five-page description of its concept for a new business explaining the product or service, the target customers, the value proposition to those customers and a description of the potential market, including size by 5 p.m. October 5, 2010. Submissions should be e-mailed to david.deeds@stthomas.edu.. Finalists will be chosen from among the initial submissions. Finalists will then prepare a 20-minute presentation of their concept and present it on October 22 to a distinguished panel of judges drawn from the entrepreneurial, business and investment communities. The teams that present the best business concepts will be awarded scholarships. 

For more information: http://www.stthomas.edu/business/schulzeschool/fowlerchallenge/rules.html

There’s club for everyone in the Opus College of Business.  See the 10 clubs you should check out below!  For more information contact Heather English at hlbasil@stthomas.edu or stop in MCH 128 for up to date information!

Gain experience and build your networking skills in the Accounting Club.  Members visit Twin Cities accounting firms, host on-campus speakers and participate in community service projects including a fall cleanup for senior citizens.  Social events include spring banquet and fall Bowl-a-Rama.

The American Marketing Association provides marketing majors with the opportunity to work with and get to know other students within their major field, in addition to networking with professionals in the business community.  AMA offers a wide variety of speakers from marketing and related fields. 

Delta Sigma Pi is a coed professional business fraternity for business and economics majors to learn real world business activities through hands on experiences.  Professional events include various speakers, activities, and business tours in the Twin Cities area.  Members conduct and participate in community service activities including “Fall Clean Up,” and Junior Achievement.  All members fundraise and put on great social events as well.  We are more than a club, we are a fraternity, we are a family. 

The Entrepreneurship Society is for students from all majors interested in entrepreneurial careers and ventures.  Students gain real life advice and inspiration for starting a business, overcoming obstacles, being a leader, and simply working in the business world.  The Society holds various events including tours, social activities and community service projects.

As a Financial Management Association member you will develop your professional, educational and social skills as you prepare for a possible career in finance, banking or investments.  FMA encourages the interaction of business executives, faculty, and business and finance students.

The Legal Studies Club helps students from all majors interested in the law to learn about career opportunities and other pertinent aspects of legal studies.  One of the club’s main focuses is to find internship opportunities for students.  Come and meet fellow legal studies majors and the legal studies faculty.  Become a member of this exciting new club!

Joining the Supply Chain and Operations Club is a great way to network with students as well as employers.  Listen to speakers who discuss career possibilities within the field at regular meetings.  The club is a student chapter of the American Production & Inventory Control Society, Inc. (APICS), which allows students to join this professional organization.  This club is open to all majors.

The Real Estate Society meets regularly to listen to guest speakers, and organizes social and educational events for students. Activities include the study of local markets through club projects, field trips and meeting with industry professionals.  The Society also assists in internship / job placements with various companies in the industry.

SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) is a global non-profit organization active in more than 40 countries. Students develop community outreach projects that empower people in need by applying business and economic concepts and an entrepreneurial approach to improve their quality of life and standard of living. Projects are presented at a regional conference. Join SIFE and change the world! All majors welcome.

Club members in the Society of Human Resources Management receive student memberships in the largest human resource professional association, Twin Cities Human Resource Association. (TCHRA)  As a member you may attend TCHRA meetings, where you will expand your knowledge and have an opportunity to network with HR professionals, which could lead to internships or full time employment.  You also are eligible to join the national organization Society for Human Resource Mgmt. (SHRM)