Graceland SIFE History

The national organization of Students in Free Enterprise began in 1975, with Sam Walton acting as the primary financial and intellectual catalyst. In 1989, Graceland instituted its first SIFE team under the guidance of several students and faculty leader, Ivan Williams.

The team had some early successes, peaking with an April, 1993 first runner-up regional finish. This may be attributed to the incredible self-motivation of a core group of four students, as 1993 also saw the departure of Ivan Williams. Kevin Prine assumed the faculty leadership role the following semester and recruited 27 students for the team.

From that point, the team has applied a key principle of total quality management; the idea that small improvements in many areas over a long period of time result in dramatic increases in productivity and effectiveness. Driving in vehicles borrowed from relatives, holding chili suppers for fundraisers, and transporting Kevin’s personal desktop computer from his home to regional competitions (we carried over fifty pounds of monitor, keyboard, and CPU for years without one mishap), the team scratched their way to more regional places, attaining their first regional championship in 1999.

Sarah Wiltse, a presenter on that first regional championship team and winner of the 1999 Business Award, returned in 2001 to become the Associate Director of the Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (CSFEE), a position designed to take on more of the operational duties of the SIFE team. Two more years saw even further growth and success of the team, and with Sarah leaving to initiate an outstanding corporate career path, another former SIFE student and Business Award winner, Andy Simpson returned from a career with Accenture to assume the Associate Director position.

In the spring of 2006, Kevin Prine announced that he would be leaving to take a position outside Graceland, with Andy Simpson assuming full responsibilities as Acting Director for CSFEE, and leader of the Graceland SIFE team for the 2006-2007 academic year. With the close of the 2006 regional and national competitions, the team had won seven regional championships, was the national finalist in eleven special competitions, advanced to the semi-final round at nationals on four occasions, with three of those four occasions resulting in a first or second runner-up trophy, and was crowned the national champion for 2006, advancing to the World Cup in Paris, France to represent the United States.

It is disheartening to think about the dozens of wonderful people who were part of the Graceland SIFE team in its early stages and realize that they did not get the opportunity to experience the incredible things that teams in recent years have been able to do. At the same time, there is something positive about knowing that those same people have been, are, and will continue to be the foundation upon which others are able to stand.

In 2005, Kevin wrote down what he believed were the core values for the Graceland SIFE team, and they have remained as guiding principles:

The Entrepreneurial Spirit As individuals, we take INITIATIVE to create BIG value in the world. Even our actions in the local community are spurred by great thoughts rather than limited thinking. Never let it be said that Graceland students sat and watched while others in the world suffered or failed to reach their potential because we were lazy or small-minded.

Transparency - We don’t lie. We don’t mislead. If we win in life’s challenges, we win because we earned the honor and not because we spun a good story.

Hard Work - There is much to do in the world and very little time to do it. We do not want to reach the end of our life and find out that the hours we spent playing X-Box, surfing the Internet, watching television, or shopping could have resulted in one more act of charity; one more positive conversation; one more entrepreneurial project that could have changed the world.

Connectedness - We commit to each other. We support each other because we are human beings trying to find our way on the same path. Likewise, if one person’s actions disgrace themselves, their actions disgrace the team.

No Jerks Allowed - As a group, we will not allow an individual or group of individuals to show a lack of respect for others.

Humility - The only reason we are able to do and participate in this great calling is because others have made great sacrifices. Money, time, and lives have been spent to get us to our country and our organization to the place that it resides. What right do we have to think we deserve these anonymous gifts?

For our annual speaker tryouts, we also have had individuals memorize a piece of writing originated by a very successful CEO who spoke at our 2000 Roundtable. It also seems to capture the essence of our team.

Two Concepts:

First, a man crosses a desert by shooting an arrow from his bow and retrieving it as he walks. He must cross the desert with the fewest shots possible. At times he strains the bow with all his strength and lets his arrow fly, but sacrifices accuracy, at times shooting the arrow wildly off course. Other times he aims carefully and draws timidly, attempting little but guaranteeing himself small, solid progress. In time he finds the balance of draw and aim that covers the most ground in the fewest shots.

Second, there is a Zen saying that happiness is planting a tree knowing that you will not be there to enjoy its shade.

These are the two transforming ideas behind our team’s success: like the hunter, we work for small sure victories, but we also shoot at audacious opportunities. Like the tree planter, we are happiest when our efforts bring positive results for others.

Who is a part of this team? You are. You are. And, YOU are.