The University of Toledo’s Chapter of the Association for Operations Management (APICS) took the first place award in the APICS Mid-Atlantic District Student Case Competition, held Feb. 12 and 13 in Pittsburgh.
Posing for a photo were, from left, Dr. P.S. Sundararaghavan, Dr. Thomas Gutteridge, Aaron Seaman, Michael Erney, Jennifer Jones, Bethany Harding, Junjun Liu, Xian Ma and Dr. Udayan Nandkeolyar.
“Our team had six members, and none of us had ever participated in a case competition before,” she added. “However, with the encouragement of our professors, our professional contacts and internships, we were able to apply all our experience and bring home first place for UT.”
“This is the best thing that has ever happened to UT APICS in its 21-year history,” said Dr. P.S. Sundararaghavan, professor of information operations technology management, who is the faculty adviser to the group.
“This is wonderful news,” said Dr. Thomas Gutteridge, dean of the College of Business and Innovation. “Their success makes a powerful statement about the quality of UT College of Business and Innovation students, faculty and programs within the field of supply chain management. Congratulations to all for a job extremely well done.”
The UT APICS team consisted of Jones, Michael Erney, Aaron Seaman, Bethany Harding, Junjun Liu and Xin Ma.
Dr. Udayan Nandkeolyar, professor of information operations technology management, traveled with the team and provided moral support; however, faculty members are not allowed to have any communication with the student team during the event.
APICS provides training, certification and resources for professionals in production, inventory, supply chain, materials management and purchasing. With more than 2,500 student members nationwide, APICS sponsors scholarships, competitions and programs that promote education and interest in the operations management profession.
The UT APICS Chapter received an award of $1,350 for its first-place finish in the district competition.
The chapter was started in 1990 and hosts an annual joint dinner meeting with the parent chapter (Toledo APICS Chapter) in April.
Sundararaghavan said UT APICS is very thankful to the Toledo APICS for providing material support, scholarships, professional contacts and lots of encouragement.
