The UCF College of Business Administration held its annual Cornerstone Social Entrepreneurship Competition, one of the largest social entrepreneurship service learning initiatives in the world. Student teams participate in the program which provides them with an opportunity to apply their business knowledge and skills to help local non-profit organizations. The student teams are nominated and then evaluated by the Cornerstone Competition Nominating Committee, with the top teams advancing to the Cornerstone Competition Semi-finals.
The first place team from the Fall 2013 semester was “Team Wolfpack,” consisting of students Jamie France, Brittany Zembower, Amanda Rodwell, Katherine Eardley, Louis Alandete and Alexis Rodriguez. Their lab instructor was Lauryn Migenes, from the Department of Management. Team Wolfpack was able to raise $3,215 in money and supplies for Washington Shores Elementary’s Fall Festival on behalf of Junior Achievement.
“It is people like the students of Team Wolfpack that make a difference in this world, and you guys start this whole wave that will keep flowing that inspires so many people to do good things. This fall festival is something that these students will never forget,” said Debra Nobles, coordinator at Washington Shores Elementary.
More than 300 students participate in the Cornerstone Competition each semester. The event is sponsored by Jim ’86 and ’92 and Debbie Balachak ’88.
About Jim and Debbie Balaschak:
The Balaschaks volunteer their time, talent and treasure to many organizations throughout the community. Their commitment to UCF is demonstrated by their support of the Cornerstone program and the competition. They hope to encourage students to learn the value of volunteering and that the experiences gained in the Cornerstone program will stay with them, long after graduation. It is only through the Balaschaks’ generous financial support that UCF is able to recognize the outstanding students’ activities.