Celebrating 20 Years of the Iowa State MBA Internal Case Competition

The Iowa State University MBA Internal Case Competition recently celebrated its 20^th anniversary welcoming alumni and founders back to campus.

Over two decades, it has evolved into a hallmark event, where second-year MBA students collaborate to analyze and propose innovative solutions to complex business scenarios within 24 hours. This year’s case revolved around an AI company facing the challenges of balancing rapid AI development, safety concerns, and intense competition from a new rival.

David Spalding, Raisbeck Endowed Dean, champions case competitions for their educational value. “Our internal case competition challenges full-time MBA students with real-world scenarios, requiring swift analysis and solutions under pressure – mirroring the complexities they’ll face in their careers.”

Sarah Wilson, director of professional masters student services, reflected on what made this year so special. “We hosted alumni, current students, faculty, staff, and five of the competition founders. It was a reunion and a celebration. Our second-year MBA students were very impressive in the competition.”

This annual event, which was held on December 5 and 6, would not be possible without the support of William “Bill” and Raedene Kalm. Bill (’73 industrial administration; ’77 interdisciplinary industrial administration sciences. His master’s degree is the same as the present-day MBA.) helped found the original internal case competition and has continued to partner with Ivy. According to Bill, they wanted to find a way to give back in a personal way.

“When I was approached by the college for a donation, my wife and I communicated that we did not just want to write a check. Rather, we would like to recognize students’ accomplishments and become personally more involved,” Bill said.

Through a series of discussions with Brad Shrader, Morrill Professor Emeritus; Sam DeMarie, director of the executive MBA and associate professor; and Ron Ackerman, former director of admissions and student services, the Kalms identified an internal case competition as a viable means to accomplish both objectives. “The first competition was a big success from all stakeholder standpoints, and we’ve continued to build on that success,” Bill said.

“We hosted alumni, current students, faculty, staff, and five of the competition founders. It was a reunion and a celebration. Our second-year MBA students were very impressive in the competition.”

— Sarah Wilson

To make this 20^th-year milestone even more special, Bill and Raedene introduced a new scholarship opportunity. “The new scholarship, the Dean’s Leadership Scholarship, has four basic objectives,” Bill said. “First, to help attract and retain the best MBA candidates for Ivy. Second, to recognize the exceptional efforts of Dean Spalding in keeping the MBA program as a front porch focus through his tenure as dean. Third, to establish a means for the new dean(s) to continue the focus and improve the stature of the program. Fourth, to demonstrate my wife’s and my long-term commitment to stay involved in the MBA program.”

Celebrating two decades of innovation and collaboration, the MBA Internal Case Competition continues to empower students at the Ivy College of Business, paving the way for the next generation of business leaders to excel in an ever-changing world. Congratulations to each of the participants and top performers in this year’s competition.

Pictured top left: Ava Swanson, Bill Kalm Founders Award winner and second place team member. Top right: First place team members: Sai Jeshwanth Goud Illuri, Christopher Meyer, Daniel Sauer, and Jonathan Chan pictured with Bill Kalm (center). Bottom center: Sahil Bakhai, Charles B. Shrader Ethics Award winner, third place team member, and Divisional I Best Q&A. Bottom right: Student of the Year, Violet Lapke (center), pictured with Valentina Salotti (left), Kingland MBA Professor and associate dean for academic affairs, and Melissa Chamberlin (right), associate professor of management and entrepreneurship.

Awardees included:

First Place Team: Jonathan Chan, Sai Jeshwanth Goud Illuri, Christopher Meyer and Daniel Sauer

Second Place Team: Ava Swanson, Gavin Hamilton, James Saulsbury, and Tejas Walimbe

Third Place Team: Cody Britt, Sahil Bakhai, Sophia Galley Quarshie, and Reindl Weaver

Charles B. Shrader Best Overall Performer: Daniel Sauer

Bill Kalm Founders Award: Ava Swanson

Division 1 Best Q&A: Sahil Bakhai

Division 1 Best Presenter: Cody Britt

Division 2 Best Q&A: Christopher Meyer

Division 2 Best Presenter: Colin Conti

Division 3 Best Q&A: Daniel Ho

Division 3 Best Presenter: Ethan Williams

To view more images and awards, visit LinkedIn.

December 27, 2024