Kettering University students won four first place awards, a second and third place each, and three Honorable Mentions at Collegiate DECA's State Career Development Conference held in Battle Creek, Mich., Feb. 8-10. 

The Kettering DECA chapter competed against students from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Valparaiso University, Grand Valley, Central Michigan University, Northwood, Davenport (Grand Rapids), Delta College and Grand Rapids Community College. This year eight Kettering students captured nine awards: four in first place, one each second and third place awards, and three honorable mentions. The honors qualify the students to attend the International Collegiate DECA (formally Delta Epsilon Chi) Career Development Conference in Anaheim, Calif., April 16 - 20.

In addition, Professor Karen Cayo, of Kettering’s Department of Business, was honored by the DECA organization for her 20 years of leadership, effort and commitment. Cayo has been instrumental in attracting students to DECA, organizing on-campus activities and meetings, coordinating logistics and fund raising, and coaching the team in state and national competitions.

At the conference, students took challenge exams, solved current and practical business case problems, wrote business plans, and role-played with industry judges. Of the eight Kettering students who competed this year, three were new to the Collegiate DECA competition.

First Place winners included:

Lucas Brandt, a Freshman majoring in Computer Science, for Entrepreneurship;

Donald Klein, a Senior majoring in Business, for Project Management;

Allison Putnam, a Sophomore majoring in Business, Ashlea Reiter, a Junior majoring in Business, and Jacob Sherwood, a Sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering, for an Advertising Campaign; and

Michael Woznicki, a Senior majoring in Business, for Marketing Management.

Earning Second Place was:

Kaitlyn Just, a Junior majoring in Business, for Sales Management Meeting.

Third Place was received by:

Kaitlyn Just, a Junior majoring in Business, for Travel and Tourism.

Honorable Mentions (Honorable Mentions are placements between 4th and 8th place) included:

Allison Putnam, a Sophomore majoring in Business, for Accounting;

Jacob Sherwood, a Sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering, for Executive Job Interview; and

Jacob Sherwood, a Sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering, for Banking and Financial Services.

Collegiate DECA is a student-oriented organization focused on developing future business leaders. The four cornerstones of DECA are career awareness, civic consciousness, social intelligence, and leadership development with competitive events in: Business, Design, Entrepreneurship, Finance & Accounting, Food Service & Culinary, Hospitality & Travel, Information Technology, Management, Project Management and Marketing & Sales.  Besides the yearly State and International Career Development Conferences in the spring, Collegiate DECA also sponsors a yearly Leadership Conference in the fall.

The Kettering students raise funds by selling snacks in the Business Department lobby. This money helps to offset the registration and travel fees needed to attend conferences. To find out more about the chapter, contact Professor Karen Cayo (kcayo@kettering.edu).