Leadership and Innovation Showcase Features Student Solutions

A sampling of the displays includes student projects in the areas of biotechnology, energy conservation, risk management, supplier selection, the technology needs of the next generation workforce, and 3-D headsets for the video game industry.

Dr. James E. Owens, chairman and chief executive officer of Caterpillar and an alumnus of the college’s master’s and doctoral programs in economics, will present scholarship awards to the winning project teams.

Owens himself will be formally recognized as the college’s 2009 Person of the Year award recipient as part of the event. The awards presentations will take place from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Nelson Hall Auditorium.

This is the second year for the college’s Person of the Year recognition program. Benjamin Jenkins, currently senior advisor with Morgan Stanley, received the award in 2008. He recently retired as head of Wachovia’s general bank, following a 38-year career with Wachovia.

“The projects that our students are bringing to the Showcase demonstrate thought leadership and real world application of business principles taught in the classroom,” said Ira R. Weiss, dean of the college. The displays and student commentary will show how the students addressed important business challenges and opportunities, provide a summary of key insights about their projects, and communicate the classroom theory applied for project problem-solving.

“In addition to summarizing the results of their work and competing for scholarship awards, this event is intended as an opportunity for students to display their work to other students in the college and across campus, as well as to members of the college’s alumni and professional network and the area business community,” Weiss said. Business leaders and members of the college’s faculty will serve as judges for the scholarship competition.

The showcase will be held in the Nelson Commons, on the second floor of Nelson Hall, and in other areas in the building.

Scholarships will be awarded to each winning group’s participants. Two undergraduate teams will be awarded scholarships: $750 for the first place team; $500 for the second place team. Three graduate teams will be awarded scholarships: first place, $1,250; second place, $1,000; third place, $750.

Nelson Hall is located at the corner of Hillsborough Street and Dan Allen Drive, on the NC State Campus. Free parking for this event will be available in the Dan Allen Parking Deck.