Isaiah Stephenson of Louisville competes with Huntington University in I-69 Challenge

2014 Feb 21

Isaiah Stephenson of Louisville, KY, competed with Huntington University at the eighth annual I-69 Collegiate Innovation Challenge held Feb. 14-16.

The challenge, hosted by the Grant County Economic Growth Council, was created to encourage entrepreneurship among students along the I-69 corridor, provide networking opportunities for students and judges, generate creative ideas and allow for collaboration between universities. The teams are charged with the responsibility of “solving” a given social or economic problem using a for-profit business model that they create.

Stephenson, a senior Economics and Finance and Business Management major at HU, took first place with his team for “Connective,” an innovative placement firm that infiltrates small universities to link students with hiring companies.

A total of five teams competed. Each team was comprised of a student representative from each participating university.

The first place winners were each awarded an iPad air and smart cover. The second place team members each won $100 gift cards, and the third place team members were awarded $50 gift cards.

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest, and Forbes.com has listed the university as one of America’s Best Colleges. Additionally, Princeton Review has named the institution to its “Best in the Midwest” list. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

For text of this and all Huntington University news releases, visit www.huntington.edu/news.