Rogers State University senior Samantha Slater, center, received the competitive Oklahoma Business Roundtable Paulsen Award during the recent Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup business plan competition. Presenting the award are Doug Paulsen and Kathie Paulsen, the children of the award’s namesake.
A Rogers State University business administration-marketing senior earned a $5,000 competitive scholarship during the recent Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup business plan competition.
Samantha Slater of Oologah earned the Oklahoma Business Roundtable Paulsen Award in the April competition’s Small Growth Division. Slater intends to apply the scholarship towards her MBA when she enrolls as a member of RSU’s inaugural graduate degree program this fall.
The Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup is a statewide collegiate business plan competition that simulates the real world process of researching a market, writing a business plan and making a presentation to potential investors.
The Governor’s Cup competition seeks to demonstrate that Oklahoma has the resources and commitment to grow more entrepreneurs who will lead future startups that will create jobs and wealth for the state.
The Paulsen award, given as part of the competition, recognizes Oklahoma students with the fortitude to become involved with the state’s economic development and encourages students to become more involved with business and entrepreneurial aspects to strengthen Oklahoma’s economy.
The award is provided by the Oklahoma Business Roundtable, which represents more than 130 Oklahoma corporations and business organizations that provide important business development advice and assistance to the Governor, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and other state leaders.
To be eligible for the award, Slater completed a written application with essay questions. From there, she was selected as one of six finalists who interviewed with Business Roundtable members.
Slater has participated on RSU teams in the past two Governor’s Cup, including last year’s team that earned second place in statewide competition. The team adviser is Charles Atkins, instructor of applied technology at RSU.
For more information about the Governor’s Cup, visit www.i2e.org.