February 29, 2024
Trine University students got the opportunity to show off their salesmanship when the Trine Sales and Marketing Association held its first KSB Collegiate Sales Cup on Feb. 21.
Trine students competed for cash prizes in a 15-minute role-playing exercise and a 60-second video pitch.
Winners in the role play-competition were Zaavan Clear, a chemical engineering major from Auburn, Indiana, Jackson Clark, an accounting major from Fort Mill, South Carolina, and Michael Pacer, a marketing major from Maumee, Ohio.
Sara Williams, a marketing major from Kendallville, Indiana, and Josh Hartman, a sport management major from Whitestown, Indiana, won the 60-second pitch competition.
Debbie Richard, faculty advisor for the Trine Sales and Marketing Association, said the organization had worked on the event since last fall.
“Many students find that once they graduate, their role involves sales,” she said. “This competition provides an outlet for students who are interested in sales and those who want to gain practice in that area.”
Nine students took part in the role play competition, and 10 in the video pitch.
Judges for the role play competition were Nick Lenzo, district marketing manager, Federated Insurance; Johnathan Niel, regional marketing manager, Federated Insurance; Tyler Benner, agent, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance; and Jamie Frost, Indiana & Gateway regional sales representative, Trackman. The buyer in the role play was Candace Smith, mortgage loan originator, Hallmark Mortgage.
Lacie Piekarski and Logan Beck, both part of Trine University’s Admission Office, served as judges for the video competition.
Isabel Soto, instructor, and her Spanish students have created an ofrenda (decorated altar) honoring Ana Boman, who taught Spanish in Trine University’s Department of Humanities and Communication for 16 years before she passed away last year.
Trine University has launched Dual Advantage, a new program that gives undergraduate students multiple pathways to earn both a bachelor’s degree and an advanced degree in less time than completing both degrees separately.
Trine University student organizations and the McKetta Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering recently offered activities for girls interested in science and engineering at the 2026 STEM Expo hosted by the Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana (GSNI-M).