Springfield, Ohio — Three Wittenberg University management students are getting an in-depth look at local businesses as they publicize and garner nominations for Wittenberg's 2010 Entrepreneurial Business Award (EBAward). Working through the Wittenberg Center for Applied Management (WittCAM), the team is managing the entire process, from nomination to screening to final judging.

The three-member team – composed of Andrea Berry, class of 2010 from East Amherst, NY, Melissa Cederqvist, class of 2010 from Husqvarna, Sweden, and Katherine Yuskewich, class of 2010 from Columbus, Ohio – has put together an integrated marketing campaign that includes print and online ads in the Springfield News-Sun, posters in Clark and Champaign counties, as well as online networking site discussions.

Sponsored by WittCAM, Junior Achievement and Security National Bank, the EBAward honors a business in Clark County of Champaign County that has successfully implemented innovative ideas that benefit customers, employees or the community. The award has been student-managed since its inception in 1997 – over the years, WittCAM teams have developed and implemented the many deliverables involved in the project. The EBAward was created to showcase local success stories while providing an opportunity for Wittenberg students to learn a thing or two about entrepreneurship.

"We are looking for companies who have the 'WOW' factor and stand out from the rest," Berry said. "Interviewing the business will be an interesting and insightful process. I am excited about the on-site visits."

The team has been promoting the award and collecting nominations throughout the fall. To spur interest, the team recently hosted a panel event with leaders of the Springfield business and government communities, which generated more than 20 new nominations for the award.

The 2009-10 EBAward team: (from left) Melissa Cederqvist, Katherine Yuskewich and Andrea Berry

"The EBAward nomination process has allowed me to network with influential members of the Springfield business community," Yuskewich said. "It is helping me feel more connected to the Springfield area as a whole."

During the spring semester, the team will choose a panel of judges and present research on the nominees to the judges. Once the community judges choose a winner, the team will write, produce and direct a promotional video of the winning company.

"I am excited to see how the process unfolds, and I am interested to learn more about businesses in the Springfield area," Cederqvist said. "I hope to build connections that will continue to grow after I graduate."

Working on the EBAward team is just one project available to participants of WittCAM, Wittenberg's unique program for upper-level students focusing on management. WittCAM projects provide an alternative to traditional classroom-based courses by offering students hands-on opportunities to serve as consultants to businesses, government agencies and not-for-profit organizations. More than 450 students have participated in WittCAM projects in the last 30 years. Professor of Management Pam Schindler serves as the program's faculty advisor.

Community members, including students, have until Friday, Oct. 30, to nominate an innovative local business for this year's EBAward. Click here to nominate a business or learn more about the award.

Edited by: Gabrielle Antoniadis

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