Student teams from Indiana State, University of Tennessee and Ivy Tech win Conexus Indiana case competition

INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 6, 2020) Two teams of students from Indiana State University and the University of Tennessee each won the top prize in the bachelor’s degree track at the 2020 Conexus Indiana Case Competition. A team of students from Ivy Tech Community College won first prize in the associate degree track of the competition. The event featured over 150 students from 27 schools throughout the nation to solve a business case in only 24 hours.

Conexus Indiana awarded each winning team $5,000, with second and third place teams taking home $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.

“The Conexus Indiana Case Competition encourages college students to use what they’ve learned in the classroom in a simulated real-world environment,” said Brad Rhorer, Conexus Indiana Chief Talent Programs officer. “Students should seize as many opportunities as possible to use their skills before graduating, and Conexus is proud to offer a program that provides them that chance. The competition also exposes students to the dynamic careers available in advanced manufacturing and logistics in Indiana.”

The Conexus Indiana Case Competition is in its fifth year and is held annually. This year, the case competition was held online in a virtual format and students were presented with a business case that reflected many of the current challenges that businesses face due to COVID-19.

The event was supported by Indiana industry and included 18 Indiana company executives, representing all facets of the advanced manufacturing and supply chain industry, who judged the cases and determined the winning teams. Companies also met with students during a virtual career fair.

Winners from Ivy Tech Community College:

Michael Kaim

Jose Gomez Marquez

Steven Kwak

Andrew Harding

Winners from Indiana State University:

Casey Phillips

Samuel Bowen

Nicholas Burton

Audrey Churchill

Winners from University of Tennessee:

Jessica Thomas

Spencer Strei

Maikel Mikaiel

Ashlyn Bowman

All Competing Schools:

Ball State University

Butler University

Columbia University

Earlham College

Emory University

Georgia State University

Grambling State

Hanover College

Indiana State University

Indiana University

Indiana University – Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Ivy Tech Community college

Marian University

Miami University

Michigan State University

Northwestern University

Pennsylvania State University

Purdue Polytechnic

Purdue University

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

St Mary’s University

Trine University

University of Evansville

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Valparaiso University

Vincennes University

West Virginia University

Participating Companies:

Allison Transmission, Inc.

Batesville Tool & Die

Phronetic Growth Solutions

Major Tool and Machine

Aisin USA MFG., INC.

Endress+Hauser Inc.

Ascend Indiana

Indianapolis Airport Authority

GKN Sinter Metals

Indiana Defense Network

Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.

Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems

FTIC (Fukai Toyotetsu Indiana Corporation)

C&R Racing

Cook Biotech Inc.

Arcamed

Praxair Surface Technologies

Cummins Inc

C&R Racing

MPI Corp

Caterpillar

Metro Plastics technologies, Inc.

Samtec

Indiana Commission for Higher Education

AM General, LLC

Helmer Scientific

Tellis Executive Search

Toyota Material Handling

Tube Processing Corporation

GEODIS

Quality Mill Supply

Rolls-Royce

Berry Global

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana

About Conexus Indiana

For more than a decade, Conexus Indiana, one of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) non-profit initiatives, has been positioning the Hoosier State as the best place for advanced manufacturing and logistics industries to invest, employ and succeed. By collaborating with industry, academic and public sector partners on a shared vision for an innovative, skilled workforce and stronger business climate, Conexus Indiana has helped to create opportunities for advanced manufacturing and logistics companies, prepare Hoosiers to succeed in the state’s largest industry sectors and maintain Indiana’s competitive advantage. For more information, go to www.ConexusIndiana.com.