University of Florida finishes second in 2017 SEC MBA Case Competition

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida finished in second place while hosting the 2017 SEC MBA Case Competition from April 6-8. The University of Georgia won the event.

The case featured a business problem facing Nationwide Insurance. The University of Florida team consisted of four students – Mary Frances Dobry, Alison Houlihan, Ryan O’Farrell and Brendan O’Rourke.

“I’m tremendously proud of our team’s performance and the work they put in to prepare for this event,” Director of Graduate Business Career Services Jason Rife said. “Their ability to handle tough questioning and defend their recommendations with data helped them to stand out with the judges, securing a spot in the finals and an ultimate second-place finish.  The competition gets tougher each year, and we’re looking forward to next year’s event in Baton Rouge.”

The event also honored students for the Best Presenter Award and Best Q&A Award. UF MBA student Alison Houlihan was one of four students at the event to receive the Best Presenter Award.

Four-member teams from all 14 SEC schools competed at the event. The teams were split into four divisions and proposed their solutions to the business problem in front of a panel of judges on Saturday morning in the divisional rounds.

The top four proposals moved on to the final round to determine the winner of the competition. Auburn and South Carolina joined Florida and Georgia in the final round of four schools.

It was the first time UF MBA hosted the event.

“It has been a tremendous honor to host the SEC MBA Case Competition,” Senior Director Leadership, Assessment, and Full-time Student Affairs Kara Cupoli said. “It was a Warrington wide effort with the goal of ensuring a tremendous learning experience for all the students, like we do for UF business students each and every day. We hope our friends in the SEC had a wonderful time in Gainesville and have a taste of what makes it great to be a Florida Gator!”

UF MBA ends case competition season with four first-place finishes and one second-place finish.