Marian University celebrates yet another
triumph as its Byrum School of Business Marketing students secured an
impressive second-place victory in the esteemed American Marketing Association
Case Competition held in New Orleans from April 10 to 13. This phenomenal win
marks the third consecutive year that the Byrum team has clinched a spot among
the top 10 national finalists, showcasing their unwavering commitment to
excellence and innovation. Additionally, this is the second time the Byrum team
has seized the second-place position, further solidifying their dedication to
mastering the intricacies of marketing strategy. Their outstanding performance
not only reflects the exceptional caliber of talent nurtured at Marian
University, but also underscores the institution's relentless pursuit of
academic and professional excellence.
The case competition, a true testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of the Marian students, commences in the fall semester. Guided by the esteemed AMA Chapter advisor Lori Rumreich, Ed. D., the students in the marketing competitions course were tasked with developing a marketing plan to raise awareness and action around a set of sustainability goals. Their relentless efforts were acknowledged in January when they were informed of their national Top 10 finish among 74 entries. They were then invited to present their plan in New Orleans. As Dr. Rumreich put it, "Once notified, they dedicated their evenings and weekends during the spring semester to craft a presentation that would articulate their marketing plan, including how their research informed their strategy and the expected outcomes." The students who presented the plan this year were seniors Jenny Rodriguez '24, Trey Gibson '24, Linsey Rodas-Hernandez '24, junior Adam Heitz '25, and sophomore Emma Hendrix '26.
Gibson, who presented in New Orleans for the second year in a row, said of the experience, "Every moment of the case competition was a testament to the dedication, hard work, and expertise of our team. The experience was both challenging and rewarding. It will undoubtedly guide me as I step into the professional world."
Greg Rawski, dean of the Byrum School of Business agreed. “Our students had a rewarding experience and made a splash on the national stage at the American Marketing Association case competition. We are grateful for the opportunity to compete and for Dr. Lori Rumreich’s leadership.”
The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business took first place honors in the case competition this year. Other national finalists included Temple University, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, The George Washington University, High Point University, and the University of Puerto Rico.
Another highly competitive competition at the conference was the Sales Role Play, sponsored by Sherwin-Williams. In this competition, participants had to play the role of a Sherwin-Williams salesperson for a given scenario, and obtain a commitment for a business-to-business sale in just 15 minutes. Approximately 150 students from more than 35 universities participated in the first round, with the 24 top performers selected to compete in the finals the following day. Marian senior Matthew Riehle ‘24 competed, ultimately winning the coveted first-place trophy and bringing home $600 for his win. "Praise God that I was able to place first in the sales competition! I feel beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to be part of this," Riehle said during the awards banquet.
In addition to the competitions, Marian's AMA Student Chapter received a Top 5 small chapter designation, a significant recognition of our student's hard work and dedication that has elevated the Marian University's reputation. The chapter was evaluated in six areas: professional development, community and social impact, fundraising, membership, internal and external communications, and chapter operations. This was the second year in a row receiving the Top 5 award. Individually, Emma Hendrix '26 received the $3,000 EBSCO Marketing Scholar Award for scholastic achievement, a recognition of her outstanding academic performance and dedication to her studies, further enhancing the academic excellence of our institution.
Chapter president and case team leader Jenny Rodriguez, who attended the conference for the third time shared, "All of these opportunities have allowed our students to apply their in-class learnings in a real-world scenario. They have not only allowed me to learn and grow professionally but also personally, instilling a profound sense of optimism and hope for the future."
