Price Students

2013 Sooner Launch Pad oasis of new ideas

Five OU student teams were finalists to pitch business ideas at The Sooner Launch Pad’s New Venture Pitch Competition on Nov. 21 at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

First place was awarded to PureWaste Evaporators, a student venture that offers an innovative and cost-efficient solution for oilfield wastewater removal. PureWaste’s patented technology allows for the elimination of produced wastewater and easy disposal of solids.

The competition began in early fall with more than 15 multidisciplinary teams representing 13 majors applying. It provides a platform for OU students to pitch their ideas for a new venture, gain valuable feedback and access to mentors, while competing for more than $20,000 in seed funding.

“I am extremely pleased with the continued growth of interest in the New Venture Pitch Competition. This year, as we had hoped, we saw an increase in not only the number of submissions, but also in the number of colleges across the university system represented,” said Price Assistant Professor Ron Bolen. “We are excited about the quality of plans the students created and anticipate those will only improve as we move forward. Our goals for the future include not only increasing the number of colleges with students participating, but also in the quality and viability of the plans submitted."

IBC racks up volunteer hours in 2013

Price students get hands-on, real-work training through the First Fidelity Bank Integrated Business Core Program (IBC). The group has donated more than $1,178,770 to charity and more than 61,595 hours since its inception in 1995.

Fall 2013 companies were Band for the Heartland, Charged, Crimson Carriers and IBComfort. Price students in Band for the Heartland, an effort to help Moore (Okla.) schools affected by the 2013 tornado, talked with a reporter from Oklahoma City’s KFOR-TV in October. See and hear the interview.

2013 Price Service Day huge success

The 2013 Price College Service Day was one of the largest volunteer efforts in the history of Price College. The event, coordinated by Price College students, had 300 volunteers taking part at a record 18 school and non-profit organizations throughout Norman.

Elementary Education Director Celeste Scott, of Norman Public Schools, calls the day of the event amazing.

“Principals sent me pictures of students working and projects that had been completed. More volunteers were engaged this year than we had ever seen in this project, so more was completed. It has been a pleasure to work with Price College. Service to the community is such a valuable attribute for a college student, and Price's commitment to service leadership is outstanding,” Scott said.

The effort, like many of Price College’s community efforts, are headed by Price students. Marcela Engles, a senior in energy management, coordinated this year’s service day.

"It has been an honor to contribute to the immense progress Price College Service Day has achieved in the past three years. Every year, the event's work site and volunteer goals have been surpassed. It not only benefits the Norman Community, which includes public schools, Transition House and the JDMcCarty Center, but it also further develops the volunteers into positive community leaders,” she said.

“This annual tradition also has inspired the OU College of Arts and Sciences to initiate its own service day this semester. We could have predicted the amount of Price College Service Day's current success. I cannot wait to see the continued progress it makes in the future."

Price awards scholarships to cover CFA costs

Price College and the Price Division of Finance awarded 25 new scholarships to finance and risk management students on Jan. 17. The scholarships, valued at $950 each, provide full coverage for the CFA (chartered financial analyst) intensive preparatory course to be delivered this spring by Fitch Learning at OU. The course prepares students for the first level of the CFA exam that they will take this year. The CFA certification is the gold standard of financial analysis and investment management industry.

“The program provides students a great opportunity to gain one of the highest achievements in the finance sector. It will encourage students to pursue higher education and certifications in finance, making them more appealing to potential employers,” said scholarship recipient Kyle Hammond, a finance senior.

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