The photo is of seniors Bryan McKnight and Erik Thomas, both second place winners.

Eleven Valparaiso University students achieved top 10 finishes in Delta Epsilon Chi's annual international business contest, which tests the ability of undergraduate students to respond to real-life business situations.

Competing against approximately 2,000 students from more than 200 colleges and universities, one Valpo team took second place in business law while other student teams reached the finals in business case studies and role-playing scenarios in international marketing, sports and entertainment marketing, business ethics, and travel and tourism.

The International Career Development Conference of Delta Epsilon Chi, a national collegiate organization for business students, took place April 22 to 25 in Anaheim, Calif. Up to 75 teams competed in each category.

Chapter adviser Tami Burchert, coordinator of academic advising for Valpo's College of Business Administration, said the results demonstrate the hard work and quality of the University's business students, as well as the business faculty and staff who helped them prepare for the event.

"Valpo sent more students to Delta Epsilon Chi's international conference than any other institution in our region and 11 of the 14 students who competed reached the finals in their event," Burchert said. "Valpo business students benefit from numerous opportunities to apply what they learn in real-life settings, and our students' success at this conference shows the value of those experiences."

Mark Boeckman, a senior finance major from Munster, participated in the competition for the first time was a top 10 finalist in international marketing.

"I love these competitions because every time that you compete, you gain more and more confidence in yourself and your thinking and speaking abilities," Boeckman said. "These competitions are beneficial not only because they look great on a resume, but also because you see yourself develop as a business person. This is some of the greatest practice that you can get for the real world of business."

Individuals and teams reached the finals and finished in the top 10 in the following categories:

• Business Law (2nd place) – Bryan McKnight, senior accounting and finance major from Palatine, Ill., and Erik Thomas, senior marketing and international business major from Maywood, Ill.;

• Sports and Entertainment Marketing – Matt Barnard, freshman marketing and sports management major from Valparaiso, and Kadie Savoree, senior accounting major from Paris, Ill.

• International Marketing – Callie Spengler, junior international business and Chinese and Japanese studies major from Wadsworth, Ill., and Boeckman;

• Sports and Entertainment Marketing – Bryan Van Den Bosch, senior marketing and sports management major from Des Plaines, Ill., and Lauren Hosimer, junior sports management major from Naperville;

• Business Ethics – Andy Schultz, a sophomore management and finance major from Hartland, Wis., and Sarah Schultz, a freshman marketing major from Hoffman Estates, Ill.;

• Travel and Tourism – Kylie Cook, senior nursing major from Brown Deer, Wis.

Burchert noted that Valpo students are building a tradition of success in DEX's international competition. Last year, seven students participated in the contest in three categories and each team reached the finals.

The competition is designed to develop the knowledge and skills of Delta Epsilon Chi members in different fields of business and various industries. Each case study or role-playing scenario requires students to apply a variety of business principles in different settings, demonstrate understanding of client needs, identify solutions and communicate their ideas effectively.

Burchert said students also attended a variety of workshops and had numerous opportunities to network with professionals working for a wide variety of companies throughout the country.