Belmont’s Enactus team claimed fourth place at the Enactus USA national exposition and competition in St. Louis on Thursday night.
The 64-member team was one of 533 to attend the conference, presenting projects to business experts who in turn judge each project on impact and quality. Over three days, the program competed with its counterparts from schools like John Brown University, La Sierra University and this year’s national winner, Brigham Young University — Hawaii.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the Belmont Enactus students. They are consistently recognized and honored for their tireless commitment to serving our community by creating complex business models tied to social change,” said Dr. John Gonas, associate professor of finance and Sam M. Walton Enactus Fellow.
Belmont Enactus presented six projects at this year’s exhibition, including Strings for Hope– a non-profit that repurposes used instrument strings to make into jewelry, which is sold to benefit local charities– and Ellilta Women at Risk– which gives job training to Ethiopian women while funding rehabilitation programs for former prostitutes.
All of the projects focus on helping people in need and improving communities across the world.
“Through entrepreneurial action we’re empowering our community while keeping our focus on our passion for serving people,” said Belmont Enactus Vice President Maggie Fincher.
Belmont Enactus placed first in the nation in 2010 and 2012, and was named the Enactus international champion in 2012.