Education, Exploration and Experiential Learning: Creating Signature Experiences to Prepare for a Highly Competitive Business World

Providing an outstanding business education is not confined to the walls of the Whitman School of Management. Some of our most impressive experiences allow students to take their classroom knowledge into the world and put it to the test through learning opportunities that add valuable layers of education, practice, skill sets and a level of confidence that make them future-ready as they take that giant step forward into a continuously evolving and highly competitive business world.

“Ten years from now, when students think back on their time at Whitman, what is going to be that signature experience that had a real impact on their professional lives?” asks Whitman Interim Dean Alex McKelvie. “Experiential learning puts our students in front of challenging situations and innovative approaches, challenges them to interact with different cultures and strive to push their abilities to the limit in order to prepare them for the business world and that enhances the quality of their academic experience.”

In the pages that follow, you’ll read about just some of the ways in which Whitman continues to build on its portfolio of experiential programs as students travel to global economic centers in Asia, contribute to real solutions in London, live in and work at internships in New York City, or see the impact that the entrepreneurial spirit has on emerging economies in Kenya. You’ll read about the adrenaline rush and sense of accomplishment students experience when they bring their innovative ideas to life competing against their peers in on-campus competitions that not only showcase what they’ve learned but also help them to turn their ideas into something tangible through alumni feedback, faculty mentoring and even financial awards that can accelerate their progress. (Note: Read about some of Whitman’s many other experiential programs in the Winter 2023 and Spring 2023 issues of Whitman magazine.)

All of these experiences are specifically created for the benefit of Whitman students and meant to help them make their own mark in the workplace. In most cases, these programs rise above the level of opportunity that competing business schools can offer and are just some of the differentiators that are raising the profile of the Whitman School.

Of course, none of these trips, competitions or other experiential program opportunities would be possible without the enthusiasm and commitment of faculty and staff, as well as the generosity of Whitman alumni who continue to open doors to site visits and internships, serve as mentors and judges, be philanthropic and continue to demonstrate a spirit of paying it forward, as they remember how their own signature experiences helped them get to where they are today. The same can be said for the many corporate partners around the world — from individuals to corporations and universities — that have worked to bring these signature experiences to our students.

The programs, competitions and experiences in the articles that follow are not an exhaustive list, as there are many other stories of experiential learning at the Whitman School to be told. However, they are shining examples of Whitman’s recent accomplishments and our goal to continue to innovate and explore ways to close the learning gap students often face at the beginning of their careers. Offering differentiating lessons, challenges, obstacles and opportunities now will ensure that, when the time comes, Whitman students will be more competitive job candidates and accelerate their careers quickly.

Kenya, East Asia, London and NYC:
Whitman’s Immersive Global Business Programs Rise Above the Rest

Experiential learning outside of the classroom comes in many forms at the Whitman School, but some of its recent offerings are immersing students in the largest business centers around the world. These opportunities give students a true sense of the global context of business through first-hand experiences that they will carry with them into their careers.

In just the past few years, Whitman has developed new programs ranging from short, once-in-a-lifetime trips to Kenya and East Asia to semester-long programs that allow students to experience what their futures might look like living and working in London or New York. Intensive trips are often filled with 12- to 15-hour days of networking with alumni, touring facilities of global partners, observing burgeoning businesses in emerging economies, learning about various geopolitical or cultural aspects that impact business in these areas — and fitting in time to absorb the historical sites, food and customs of each country.

Full semester experiences offer students varying combinations of Whitman-specific, for-credit courses, internships and/or special projects, as well as networking with global partners and alumni and the chance to fully immerse themselves in a hub of international business.

According to McKelvie, Whitman has a clear commitment to student success and excellence through these programs, garnering the best and most well-rounded students from a variety of backgrounds. While programs are not mandatory, they are encouraged. And, in an effort to be equitable to all, some funding, primarily from the Dean’s Fund, is available for students who might not otherwise be able to afford experiential learning opportunities.

“We’re going places that our competitor business schools simply don’t go and offering more in-depth experiences than other abroad programs can,” says McKelvie. “We intend to make these signature programs to help Whitman become the go-to school for experiential programs but, more importantly, help provide our students with learning experiences that will stay with them throughout their careers. We are tremendously appreciative that this requires the tireless work of our faculty and staff and a growing relationship with alumni and partners, but it’s these efforts that give our students the quality and rich experiences that they truly benefit from. At Whitman, students will continue to see what the global business world is like, and we are committed to offering these opportunities — and more — as a way to prepare them for a world of accelerating change.”WHITMAN | FALL 2023 | 5 Cassandra Dasco at Anchor Leather learning from refugee artisan Mercy during the immersion trip to Kenya.

Short Trips with Long-Lasting Impact

Kenya Cultural Immersion Trip

Cassandra Dasco at Anchor Leather learning from refugee artisan Mercy during the immersion trip to Kenya. 

Assistant Teaching Professor Elizabeth Wimer has always used examples from her travels in Kenya and South Sudan in her classes at the Whitman School, but she was eager to create a chance for students to experience it for themselves. In spring 2022, she took her first group of students to Kenya to do just that, and in spring 2023, a second group spent 10 days experiencing global business in this emerging, often entrepreneurial-based economy.

“Students were immersed in a very different culture and learned lessons from artisan-refugees, multinational enterprise executives and local entrepreneurs on the ground, which I think created a lightbulb moment for many related to what we’ve been talking about in the abstract in their core required class, SOM 354: Managing in a Global Setting,” says Wimer.

The students were primarily sophomores across different majors at Whitman who had taken Wimer’s course in the spring. Her emphasis in that course covered the African nation’s economic, political and cultural environment, while introducing students to the work of various Kenyan partners. Some of the students opted into a one-credit course that included travel to Kenya at the end of the semester, immersing themselves in a different business culture with some of the people and places they had heard so much about in class.

“This visit allowed students to really understand the value of human capital, as well as how opportunities for health care can impact the trajectory of an economy.”

— Assistant Teaching ProfessorElizabeth Wimer

“This was not a vacation,” says Wimer. “Students were expected to completely engage themselves and apply what we learned in class to every experience. Days began as early as 5 a.m. and lasted sometimes until midnight, as we visited Nairobi and Nakuru to interact with a mix of business partners, entrepreneurs and educational outlets along the way.”

One of the highlights was visiting Ubuntu Life, an organization that supports health and education for children with special needs — who are often ostracized in this part of the world — by selling handmade products made by the children’s mothers. Ubuntu employs women, generally not treated equally in Kenya, to make the products, while their children receive occupational and physical therapy, creating a mutually beneficial operation that builds opportunity and a better quality of life.

“This visit allowed students to really understand the value of human capital, as well as how opportunities for health care can impact the trajectory of an economy,” says Wimer, who had built a connection with the founders of Ubuntu Life as a classroom partner for all students enrolled in her courses and also as a partner-host for the Kenya travel team.

“Nothing could have prepared me for the lessons I learned on the Ubuntu campus,” says Amelia Thorn ’25, a management major who worked with the organization through Zoom during the spring 2023 semester. “Once we arrived, we were met with welcoming smiles and warm embraces. The mothers and children both taught me the true definition of resilience, and I cannot express my gratitude enough for the experience. This has already made me a better Whitman student by creating connections I would never would have had without this program.”

Another outstanding opportunity was made possible through a Whitman alumnus, Joshua Fishman ’12, senior brand marketer at Unilever North America, who set up a tour of one of the company’s product sites in Nairobi. Fishman, who is passionate about experiential programs and chairs the Young Whitman Advisory Board, not only made the connection but also traveled to join the student group in Kenya for three days, including hosting the Unilever visit.

“It was eye-opening to participate and witness firsthand the impact on the students and how immersive a program this was,” says Fishman. “One of the highlights during my own time at Whitman was the immersive and experiential learning trips I was fortunate to go on myself, and helping to make this happen was a way to pay it forward. Visiting Unilever Kenya Ltd. with the group brought me so much joy in showcasing how Unilever is managing and doing business in a global setting — bringing the course to life outside the classroom. The students were able to see how Unilever is operating in a global market, tour the factories and see world-class manufacturing facilities, as well as how Unilever is building local brands and products for the consumer needs of the Kenyan market.”

Every step of the trip was a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience for the Whitman students. “In addition, I developed a better understanding of how tribalism plays a role in culture, government and business,” says Cassandra Dasco ’25, a dual major in finance at Whitman and public relations at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. “We learned how the drought Kenya is experiencing has not only affected agriculture but many other types of businesses and how they are working to overcome that. And we discussed the challenges that this relatively young country faces after previously being under Britain’s control, as well as how that affects education and business development. At the same time, we could see the potential Kenya offers and the opportunity for growth that these companies possess with such a large, young and entrepreneurial population.”

While this was a work trip, students did have the opportunity to take in some of the culture by going to a giraffe visitation center and an elephant orphanage, as well as on a “Big 5” game animal drive to catch a glimpse of the country’s wildlife.

Wimer plans a return trip to Kenya in January 2024 with a group of Whitman graduate students and is scheduling another undergraduate trip for May 2024.

East Asia Immersion Trip

Visit to the Shin Kyuk-ho Memorial Museum as part of the global immersion trip to East Asia. The museum exhibits photos, books, writings and other items belonging to the late founder of Lotte, Mr. Shin Kyuk-ho.

After a three-year hiatus due to pandemic travel restrictions, the Whitman School was once again able to offer its students an immersion trip to East Asia during the spring 2023 Maymester. Led by Professor of Marketing and Associate Dean for Global Initiatives Eunkyu Lee, 19 Whitman undergraduates representing various majors and one MBA student spent two weeks visiting Tokyo and Seoul, two of the primary business hubs in Asia. Students networked with a number of alumni, all eager to introduce the visitors to the business culture in that part of the world.

“East Asia is such a large and important business center, with Korea, Japan and also China being three of the top 10 economies in the world, and Tokyo and Seoul among the top 5 cities in the world in terms of gross domestic product,” says Lee. “The history of economic development in Japan and South Korea shows fascinating contrasts and similarities that reflect the rich and unique cultural conditions, as well as turbulent geopolitical interactions with each other over thousands of years. Giving Whitman students a unique opportunity to see and learn about this part of the world can be very useful to them as they progress in their careers.”

Today, Japan and South Korea are leading the way in industries like high-tech manufacturing, entertainment, gaming, fashion, cosmetics and esports. In both cities, site visits included leading corporations and emerging companies, as well as visiting with Whitman alumni.

“Our Whitman program is unique in that it really takes advantage of the large alumni network and existing corporate partners we have in Asia,” says Lee. “It goes beyond superficial exposure. Instead, we received firsthand insight into the businesses in this part of the world. A number of people in the Whitman community worked very hard to take our students to places that other abroad programs do not offer, giving them a really special experience.”

Starting in Tokyo, students visited innovative industrial materials company Nitto Denko, hosted by Takeshi Mitsuhara ’06 MBA; Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC, arranged by Joe Iannace ’07 and Zeo Imai ’13 M.S.; Keyword Studios, a global art creation company of video games; and Uniqlo/Fast Retailing, a global fast fashion design manufacturer and retailer.

Whitman students seemed to most enjoy meeting with students from Musashino University, where they dived into a case study about Uniqlo.

“Hearing the stories from some of the students studying in Japan was one of the best moments of the trip,” says Jack Cavanagh ’25, a finance and business analytics double major who blogged about the experience.

Students were also treated to a panel discussion in Tokyo that included Naoki Fujii G’03 (MAX), principal vice president of ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism of the government of Japan; along with Imai, Toshiyuki Konagoa ’00, Kosuke Kudo ’06 MBA and Goh Shimizu ’79 MBA.

While in Japan, students had time to soak in the culture, seeing some of the major shrines, gardens and temples, visiting a traditional fish market and trying some of the local street food.

The next stop was Seoul, South Korea, where Whitman students were treated to site visits at Samsung Electronics, arranged by Kyung Ah Cho ’04 MBA and Jiyong Kim ’04 MBA, and hosted by Cho, Seungho Choi ’05 MBA, Daewon Suh ’05 MBA and Junho Kim ’11 MBA; Hyundai Motor Company, arranged by Sung-Jun Kim ’05 MBA; the social entrepreneurship changemaker Root Impact; KT Studio Genie, a drama and video content planning and production company; and CJ ENM, which creates dramas, movies and reality entertainment, as well as animation, musicals and some of K-pop’s newest artists.

“Our Whitman program is unique in that it really takes advantage of the large alumni network and existing corporate partners we have in Asia.”

— Professor of Marketing and Associate Dean for Global Initiatives Eunkyu Lee

“CJ Entertainment, the MTV of South Korea, treated us to watching a recording session of the K-pop group Kard’s performance for CJ’s No. 1 K-pop chart music show, M Countdown,’’ says Cavanagh. ”And we even got access to the group before their devoted fans who waited hours to see them.”

Another highlight was a visit to Lotte Corporation, which included a trip to the top of its building, Lotte World Tower, the fifth tallest in the world. The company has a connection as a new corporate partner to Syracuse University, having recently invested in a pharmaceutical business in Syracuse, Lotte Biologics.

“We really felt like we were sitting on top of the world in that building, but, more importantly, the connection the company had to our home city showed students that Syracuse can be part of the global business world too, says Lee.

Also, in Seoul, students attended an alumni networking dinner attended by Sun Won Chung ’10 MBA, Taewan Kim ’13 Ph.D., Hwan Chung ’08 Ph.D., Soo Young Ahn ’10 M.S. (WSM/NEW), June Kim ’06 MBA, Shin Ok You ’05 MBA, and two alumni from the Syracuse University College of Law, Tae-Jun Yeon L’94 and Brian Kim L’19, who welcomed students on behalf of the Syracuse Alumni Association of Korea.

One of the most unusual experiences, however, was going to an observatory just a few miles from the border of North Korea. “To be able to see and learn about the geopolitical tension that exists there every day was very impactful,” Lee says.

Students were required to keep a daily journal of their observations and write reflections, opting to earn either one or three credits, depending on how much writing and follow-up they chose to complete.

Whitman students, staff and faculty visiting the Tokyo Skytree, a broadcasting and observation tower. 

“This immersion experience was not only a learning and bonding experience that our students will always remember, but it was a real reminder of how special Whitman is,” Lee says. “Our students really shine, and I’m proud of how motivated they were to take in every experience. The participation of our alumni was overwhelming, as they are certainly very committed to welcoming Whitman into their countries and sharing their business practices, history and culture.”
Plans for a return to Asia next spring are in the works, aiming to take students to another global business hub in East Asia in May 2024.

A Semester of Living and Learning

While the short-term immersion programs have been a success, some students opt to stay in a global city center for a full semester. Whitman offers two experiences that not only offer students the sights and sounds of these business centers but also keep them on track with credit-earning classes and internships.

Whitman in London

Students at Syracuse University have been spending semesters in London for decades through Syracuse Abroad, but Whitman in London programming has recently been established to allow students the option of continuing to earn credits required by their majors to stay on track for graduation.

“We know London is a popular destination for an abroad experience, so it seemed logical for Whitman to build specific programming for our students that allows them to progress toward their degrees in a meaningful way,” says Associate Professor of Management Catherine Maritan, who is the academic director of Whitman in London.

Most Syracuse students plan to study abroad during their junior year and take elective courses in their location. However, Whitman decided to target sophomores, so that participating students can complete the same required core classes in London that their counterparts are taking on the Syracuse campus. This allows students to stay on track for graduation, while also leaving junior and senior year flexible for other immersive experiences or internships.

In spring 2023, a Whitman-specific program, London Center: Whitman Core, began, allowing students to complete three-course requirements — nine credits — required for all Whitman majors: Introduction to Strategic Management, Managing and Leading People, and Managing in a Global Setting. This last course was taught by Mike Harris ’91, founder of Cribstone Strategic Macro, an investment firm in London. Eight students participated in spring 2023, and applicants for spring 2024 have exceeded the previous year’s numbers.

The core courses have the same learning outcomes as the sections offered on Whitman’s main campus but are tailored to events and practices happening in London and throughout the United Kingdom to give students a global perspective of how business operates. Students visited the All-England Club at Wimbledon, WeWork and Harvey Nichols, and toured London’s financial center.

Also in spring 2023, Whitman launched an experiential project-based learning course for Whitman students participating in Syracuse Abroad’s London program. This course allows students to complete three required upper-level credits for almost any Whitman major while abroad through BUA 47: Project-Based Learning in Business. The students were immersed in the London business environment through shared field visits spanning business disciplines, as well as a major-specific project that addressed a problem or issue faced by a local company.

Jamie Geary ’24, a finance and supply chain management major, conducted an analysis of local companies relative to their peers to inform the construction of a new niche environment fund consisting of under-valued equities being developed at Cribstone Strategic Macro.

Another group of five Whitman students, majoring in marketing management and entrepreneurship, examined the effectiveness of digital insurance agency Eversure Limited’s response to online customer reviews to inform future feedback strategies.

The experience offered me practical application of the knowledge and skills I’ve acquired through my coursework,” says Olivia Moen  ’24. “I was able to visually see the implementation of concepts in a professional setting, bridging the gap between theory and practice. My team gained insights into the day-to-day operations, industry trends and challenges faced by professionals in the field. This exposure has deepened by understanding of the marketing industry and allowed me to further understand my future career path.”

Plans are in the works for a new set of company-sponsored projects for students in spring 2024.

“This programming is being built to last and operate within the larger Whitman structure that gives our students the opportunity to immerse themselves in one of the world’s largest centers of business and examine it from multiple perspectives. This provides them with the ability to enter the global workplace with a unique set of skills based on actual experiences,” says Maritan. “Very few business schools offer this type of programming in London. It’s not a common model, which is a great advantage to our Whitman students.”

Whitman Semester in NYC Program

Students participating in the Semester in NYC programming posing with Whitman staff at Syracuse University’s Fisher Center.

While Whitman students are traveling all over the world, the biggest global business center is just a five-hour car ride from the Whitman School to New York City. And, while many Whitman and Syracuse University programs take place there all year round, “this one is fully immersive as students live, learn and work in New York City and see if it’s a potentially good fit for them. This helps them make career plans while still in school,” says Erin Draper, director of experiential programs for the Whitman School.

The semester-long immersion takes place in spring, typically during a student’s junior year. Students earn credits to stay on track for gradua-tion, while also making inroads into possible job opportunities once they receive their degrees.
Once in New York City, students take two or three three-credit courses either online or in person at Syracuse University’s Fischer Center, while also taking on a full-time paid internship related to their major. Students are supported by weekly faculty member meetings, an alumni mentor, networking events with the some of the thousands of Orange alumni in the city and visits to places like Third Avenue Investments, the New York Stock Exchange, JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs. They also have time to participate in some fun New York City activities like a Knicks game or a visit to Rockefeller Center.
Whitman Semester in NYC technically began in spring 2020, but the pandemic sent students home early. Spring 2023 was the first time that the School had a fully-in-person cohort of 12 Whitman students.

The chance for a paid, full-time internship in New York City is always the highlight, but it can be a challenge. According to Director of Corporate Relations Sara Garvey, most companies have rigid recruitment cycles that only take interns in the summer. So, Whitman had to work hard and call in favors from C-suite level alumni and other dedicated partners to find willing participants.

“Often, it’s alumni who had their own positive internship experience while at Whitman and want to pay it forward, or a Whitman parent or some other high-level friend of the School who helps make these intern-ships happen in the spring,” says Garvey.

Once internships are secured, students begin doing the work of an entry-level employee and often take on projects a company can’t complete otherwise, making the opportunity mutually beneficial.

“They are immersing themselves in the business of New York City sooner than others and getting their foot in the door for career opportunities down the line,” says Garvey. “Sometimes, they get offers to continue their internships through the summer, giving them almost eight months to make a real impact.”

The program is competitive, as Whitman is well aware that top-tier companies are looking for top-tier students. “It’s not just GPA-based, however,” says Garvey. “Companies want to see well-rounded students with leadership experience and passion. Because of that, students are encouraged to plan ahead, even as early as their first year at Whitman, to be considered for the program and set their course sch

“The programs we currently have in place are nothing short of amazing, and we will continue to work together to carve out more opportunities and build a stronger infrastructure for this type of experiential programming,” says McKelvie. “Students see these global trips as an adventure but also understand that participation takes commitment and hard work. There’s certainly nothing more rewarding than when a student returns from one of these trips and tells me how the experience has been a hallmark of his or her Whitman education. In the end, these are eye-opening learning experiences on a number of levels, and that’s the goal.

London Internship Made Possible Through Alumni Connection

While Camilla Witmer ’24, a real estate and marketing management major, went to London through Syracuse Abroad, she obtained an internship working with a Whitman alumnus. Andy Rosenblatt ’86 MBA is a global account director for BSI (British Standards Institute), a global testing, inspecting, certification and consulting company. He is based in Detroit but was on business in London when he accidentally came upon Faraday House, home to Syracuse Abroad programs there. He went in and introduced himself to the staff, which eventually led to Witmer’s internship opportunity at BSI’s London office.

According to Rosenblatt, Witmer was BSI’s first Whitman intern, and the experience was a positive one. “Interns offer some great advantages by bringing in newer, fresher ideas, tools and thinking, while the internship experience offers a student the opportunity to try new things and see what kind of organization he or she might like to work for in the future,” he says. “I don’t know where I would be without the input from professors at Whitman and colleagues who showed me some of the skill sets I needed to succeed in my own career. I understand the value of an internship for career development and was happy to help, and I still think Orange is a really cool color.”

“My internship at BSI allowed me to develop my analytical research skills, as well as gain global professional skills as my team consisted of people from all over the world,” says Witmer. “Andy was my main point of contact and challenged me to think critically about industry trends and risks. At the end of my internship, I was given the opportunity to outline my findings through a presentation focusing on key research points that showed sustainability, supply chains and cybersecurity are focal points for any global company. I’m proud to have represented Whitman through this project and to have carved out an opportunity for BSI to consider taking on more students in the future.”

Mutually Beneficial Mentoring in NYC 

While the Whitman Semester in NYC program continues to grow, it would not be possible without the support of the Orange network based in New York City. Many agree to mentor students during the semester, as was the case with Eddie Bender ’14 and Alex Rolinski ’24 in spring 2023. Bender, CFO and Principal of Prosper Property Group, mentored Rolinski, meeting him for dinner throughout the semester, inviting the student to visit his office and some of the company’s properties and also showing him how to analyze deals and understand how and why real estate can be a lucrative career choice. 

“What I liked most about mentoring Alex was that he was curious and wanted to learn. He didn’t beat around the bush. He knows he wants to make a lot of money as quickly as possible and then retire so he can travel. I was similarly driven, and I knew making money was going to give me freedom, and that’s when I fell into real estate,” says Bender. “Alex absorbed everything I said. He even taught me a thing or two about artificial intelligence, which was helpful. From what I can see, the Whitman students who join these experiential opportunities are on a whole different level. They want to learn and position themselves for very successful careers. They are not just there to add something to the résumé. Mentoring was a great experience and something I’d like to do again.” 

Rolinski saw Bender’s mentoring as a huge asset. “I had a wonderful experience with Eddie. We hit it off and had a lot of discussions about real estate and artificial intelligence, which are two career interests of mine,” Rolinski says. “I shadowed him, and we met a couple of other times. Eddie was incredibly helpful in providing career advice, and our conversations were enjoyable and dynamic.”

“This exposure has deepened my understanding of the marketing industry and allowed me to further understand my future career path.”

— Olivia Moen ’24

Competitions: Learning to Leverage a “Yes” and Reconfigure a “No”

While business competitions are held throughout the year to allow students to showcase their ideas, three of the major competitions are the Panasci Business Plan Competition, the Orange Tank business pitch competition and the Capstone Competition. Not only do these bring out the competitive spirit of Whitman students and their faculty mentors, but they also offer the experience of putting their ideas in front of Whitman alumni and other seasoned professionals for feedback, constructive criticism and, in some cases, seed money to take their ideas further.

“The philosophical takeaway from the Whitman competitions held each year is that students are met with live fire, using their own ideas in the face of industry uncertainty, market forces and other challenges that are changing every day. However, they also have the protection of an academic, educational experience that offers some really valuable training for when the rubber meets the road later in their careers,” says McKelvie. “Our students have the opportunity to put tangible business ideas in front of professionals and learn how to leverage a ‘yes’ or reconfigure when they hear ‘no.’ This gives them a competitive edge to accelerate their careers more quickly when the stakes are higher because they have had the opportunity to participate in these types of competitions and are not learning how to navigate these skills for the first time on the job.”

The Panasci Business Plan Competition

The Panasci Business Plan Competition is hosted each year by Whitman’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises. It is open to all students at the University, as well as those from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, with a solid business plan demonstrating the best potential for growth and the ability to attract outside financing.

The competition dates back to 2003 and the generosity of the late Henry Panasci Jr., founder of Fay’s Drugs, who provided the initial funding. It has become one of the most anticipated annual events on campus for entrepreneurial-minded students and has continued to be supported by the Panasci family, including David Panasci ’80, president of DHP Consulting.

“The number and quality of students presenting was unparalleled, and we were excited about the diversity of our teams and judges. I am confident that all the students who were selected for the finals will succeed, as entrepreneurs or otherwise,” says Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship Cristiano Bellavitis, who managed the 2023 event.

The 2023 competition awarded $35,000 in prize money. Twenty teams or individuals submitted written business plans in the semifinal round, and the top teams were brought together to compete in the finals in front of a panel of judges. All entrants received feedback, regardless of whether or not they placed in the competition. Fourteen entrepreneurs and business professionals, many Whitman alumni, participated in the judging, including Don R. Stanton ’03, founder and owner of Tanglewood Gardens and a winner of the first Panasci competition in 2003.

The Panasci family sponsored the first-, second- and third-prize awards, while Scott Friedberg ’14, founder and CEO of Gilded Social, sponsored the Gilded Social Rising Entrepreneur Award.

First place went to Benjamin Ford ’23, founder of Fundwurx, a centralized platform that helps small and mid-size companies better manage their social impact initiatives. The Gilded Social Rising Entrepreneur Award with a prize of $5,000 was given to Jack Adler ’23 of Out2Win, a business that helps empower athletes with the tools they need to engage their social media audiences, particularly in the face of new name, image and likeness opportunities.

Orange Tank

Event emcee, Derrell Smith ’10 (IST), G’13 (NEW), Chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises Maria Minniti and Orange Tank 2023 winner Jack Adler. 

2023 marked the ninth annual Orange Tank business pitch competition held on Sept. 29. The yearly event brings together Whitman students and alumni entrepreneurs to pitch innovative business ventures thanks to the generosity of Whitman Advisory Council member and Syracuse University Life Trustee John Couri ’63 (A&S), H ’08, $35,000 in cash prizes were awarded to first place ($25,000), second place ($7,500) and third place ($2,500) winners. In addition, this year’s Orange Tank included the inaugural Scrub Daddy Jumpstart Innovation Award of $10,000 presented by Aaron Krause ’92 (A&S), president and CEO of Scrub Daddy, who also served as one of the Orange Tank judges.

All entrants to Orange Tank are required to have a Whitman alumni or student founder/co-founder. Forty-one ventures were submitted this year, and five were selected to pitch at the competition based on market potential, differentiation and economic feasibility, ability to protect intellectual property and technology, sound execution strategy, scalability of the business, proposed use of finances, expertise and abilities of the founder(s), as well as the quality of a five-minute pitch and responses to a Q&A from a panel of alumni business professionals serving as judges. This year’s judges included Krause, as well as Blake Brossman ’98 (VPA), founder of PetCareRx; Young Whitman Advisory Council member Molly Fisher ’08, ’12 M.S., head of finance for Skiptown; and Keir Weimer ’11, co-founder and CEO of Weekender Hotels. 

The 2023 Orange Tank winners were Jack Adler ’23, ’24 M.S., who took first place and received a $25,000 prize for Out2Win Sports, a platform designed to simplify and streamline the way brands connect with athletes for marketing partnerships; Eric Marcarian ’06, received second place and a $7,500 prize for Mission-Focused Ethos, a digital solution for the military that sends modernized aircraft inspection information in real-time, resulting in more on time flights; and Xheneta Sopjani ’24 M.S., who took third place and received a $2,500 prize for Revive by Deinde, an at-home anti-aging skincare device using science-based, non-invasive technology.

Krause presented the inaugural Scrub Daddy Jumpstart Innovation Award to the competitor he thought “had the best chance to get a product to market quickly.” The $10,000 prize was given to Natasha Brao ’22 (VPA), ’23 M.S., ’24 MBA for her venture Shooka, a spiced tomato sauce based on the classic North African and Middle Eastern dish Shakshuka. The award also came with Krause’s offer to share his expertise in branding and trademarking with Brao.

“Great ideas are only as good as those who can execute them, and Orange Tank is about giving our students the experience they will need to succeed in a competitive entrepreneurial atmosphere after they leave the Whitman School,” says John Torrens, professor of entrepreneurial practice. “Whitman’s EEE program is recognized as one of the best, and competitions like Orange Tank are one of the reasons why. It’s an opportunity that really drives our students and puts their feet to the fire in front of judges who’ve been in their position time and time again. This is as close to real life as it gets, and it’s exciting to watch it happen.”

Capstone Competition

Sam Roberto, Cristian Guacci, Anika Russak, Tyler Romualdo and Keanu Goetze posing with their mentor Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice Alex Kostakis after their team, Secura, won the Spring 2023 Capstone Competition.

When Erin Draper, director of experiential programs at the Whitman School, talks to alumni, so many of them reminisce on their Capstone experience as the hardest, yet most memorable, part of their business school education. The competition is part of the required course where groups of seniors work all semester on an entrepreneurial business plan. While many business schools have Capstone courses and similar competitions, the real differentiator of this initiative is the interdisciplinary composition, which allows students from any Whitman major to work together — similar to how teams function in the workplace.

The Capstone course is taught by EEE faculty, who challenge the students to create a concept for an innovative product, service or business model and include a novel approach to the creation of its economic value. It must be scalable with the potential to achieve $3 million in gross revenue within five years and investments from outside sources that exceed $100,000.

At the completion of the course, students move on to the Capstone competition to test their ideas on experienced entrepreneurs, many of whom are Whitman alumni.

“It’s easy when you’re a senior, possibly with a job offer already in hand, to just sit back, but the competition piece of the Capstone course pushes students to make something happen,” says Draper. “It’s not just a project and a presentation made in front of your classmates. They are presenting in front of judges they don’t know, distinguished alumni and business leaders, and the competition is broadcast on the web, as well. Students know the stakes are high, but, all in all, it’s a really exciting opportunity to showcase their accomplishments and get a taste of what it takes to bring an idea from concept to reality.”

In 2023, Draper coordinated the Capstone competition with Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship David Park, who was the faculty lead of the Capstone course. Round 1, held the morning of April 28, consisted of 36 teams in eight rooms. Judges chose a winner from each room to advance, and winners immediately give a 90-second elevator pitch of their business proposals in front of hundreds of others. Based on the pitch and other feedback, the competition was whittled to five finalists. In the afternoon, the finalists gave their presentation once again to a different panel of judges.

In 2023, small cash prizes were given for first, second and third place, along with honorable mentions. This year’s first-place team consisted of five students — Cristian Guacci ’23, Keanu Goetze ’23, Sam Roberto ’23, Tyler Romualdo ’23 and Anika Russak ’23 — under the direction of Professor of Practice Alexandra Kostakis, for their collaboration on Secura, a drug-detecting wearable smart ring that helps combat date rape among college students.

“It was such an incredible experience pitching our product opportunity to investors Shark Tank-style,” says Russak. “It was the summative experience of my academic journey at Whitman.”

However, the real win is most often the bragging rights along with the satisfaction students get from the camaraderie of working together with other Whitman seniors and faculty members on concepts that encompass four years of knowledge and experience that they will take with them as they venture out into their respective careers.

Putting Learning to the Test

While not competitions, a number of other experiential experiences put Whitman students in a position to face challenges that not only help further their own education but also help others. Two notable programs are the Orange Value Fund and Balancing the Books.

Orange Value Fund

The Orange Value Fund (OVF) LLC has been operating since 2006 as a private investment company set up legally as part of the Ballentine Investment Institute and Center at the Whitman School. The two-year program, primarily for finance and accounting majors, is a competitive analyst program open to only the most qualified undergraduate students. Those selected into the program take classes, while also performing research on potential investments, writing research reports, networking with investment professionals, contributing knowledge and managing assets, which currently total $5.5 million.

Junior analysts in the OVF participate in the applied portfolio management program, while completing required courses. Senior analysts in their second year must prove their ability to contribute investable ideas on their own to continue, and failure to do so is cause for automatic removal, giving students a true taste of the competitive nature of careers as investment bankers and analysts, asset managers and credit analysts. OVF is under the direction of Professor of Finance Fernando Diz, who is also the director of the Ballentine Investment Institute and Center.

Balancing the Books

Celebrating 25 years of promoting literacy in 2023, Balancing the Books is a collaboration among Whitman, the Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service and the Syracuse City School District (SCSD).

Student must apply and commit to a minimum of one year to work with a cohort from the SCSD’s Huntington Middle School and Henninger High School on financial literacy, as well as other skills that can help the younger students achieve. Whitman students share their knowledge to benefit an underserved population in the community while also earning service hours toward their graduation requirements. In 2022-23, 38 Whitman students completed 857 hours in the program.

“Being a part of Balancing the Books helps Whitman interns understand their responsibilities as citizens, as they will certainly go on to sit on boards, run organizations and be in positions of power where they will have the ability to impact what happens in their own communities and make decisions on addressing inequities,” says Pam Heintz, associate vice president for engagement and director of the Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service.

At the end of the academic year, the Whitman students host the SCSD students, many of whom have never visited the University, no less thought about attending college.

Funding for Balancing the Books is provided by the Dean’s Office, and the Whitman student volunteers are required to make a year-end presentation to secure financial support for the next academic year.

These immersive programs are examples of the direction in which Whitman continues to move to ensure its students have access to experiences that can’t be replicated through classroom learning and are a step above what other business schools are able to offer. These signature programs are certain to have a lasting impact, giving students a sense of excitement and the understanding that their opportunities are limitless as they step into a changing global workplace.