Flagler's Society for Advancement of Management wins six national awards

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From left to right: Johan Bergfeld, Charlsea Owens, SAM Advisor Paula Holanchock, Ashley Mentor, Arlin Zajmi and Jessica Solomon

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (04/14/2011)(readMedia)-- The Flagler College chapter of the Society for Advancement of Management (SAM) recently attended the Management Case Competition and won its tenth Campus Chapter Performance Program national title, which recognizes the best SAM chapter in the country. The program was written and prepared by Flagler SAM President, Arlin Zajmi.

The competition took place at the SAM International Business Management Conference, held from March 30-April 3, in Orlando.

In addition, the Flagler SAM team brought home six out of seven awards given, and SAM members Rachel Flynt, Brit Hoyland and Zajmi won Regional Student awards.

Flynt also won a National Student award. Only three national Student Awards are given at the competition.

This year's case company was Whole Foods Market, focusing on "Interesting Times." The students were given approximately eight weeks – with no outside assistance – to review the company, conduct a financial analysis and then provide four strategic actions.

Zajmi said that the team worked very hard on the case study and came up with some strong strategic actions.

"We [SAM team] felt confident in our project and had a very successful presentation," he said. "It's nice to see how hard work truly pays off. Our SAM organization is the strongest in the nation. We are so thankful for our dedicated members, faculty and the support of the college."

Paula Holanchock, advisor to Flagler's SAM team and associate professor of business administration, said that by competing at such a prestigious level, the students' commitment and drive was apparent in the time and energy they put into the four month preparation period.

"Many long hours were dedicated, and they [SAM team] should be admired for their work," she said. "Their goal now is to remain focused and advance toward future victories for SAM and the college. The SAM conference is a great way to benchmark the education our students receive at Flagler to those at other colleges and universities around the nation."

This is the second year in a row that Holanchock has received the Outstanding Advisor Award. In addition, she [Holanchock] was appointed to the SAM International Executive Board by the President/CEO of SAM, Moustafa Abdelsamad.

The Flagler SAM team holds the record for SAM national title wins; no other SAM team was won more than three national titles.

SAM will be celebrating its 100th anniversary next year.

SAM is a non-profit organization founded in 1912 by colleagues and disciples of Frederick Taylor, an engineer often called the "father of Scientific Management." The organization brings together academics, practitioners and students to increase management skills and improve knowledge, performance and leadership ability.

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Flagler College is an independent, four-year, comprehensive baccalaureate college located in St. Augustine, Fla. The college offers 25 majors, 29 minors and two pre-professional programs, the largest majors being business, education and communication. Small by intent, Flagler College has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, as well as a satellite campus at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review regularly feature Flagler as a college that offers quality education at a relatively low cost; tuition is $21,450, including room and board. A relatively young institution (founded in 1968), Flagler College is also noted for the historic beauty of its campus. The main building is Ponce de Leon Hall, built in 1887 as a luxury resort by Henry Flagler, who co-founded the Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller. For more on Flagler College, visit www.flagler.edu.

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