2025 MIDWEST DECISION SCIENCES CONFERENCE

STUDENT CASE COMPETITION

INFORMATION FOR STUDENT CASE COMPETITION

Each school may enter one team of 3–4 undergraduate students, all actively enrolled at the same university during the competition. A faculty adviser may accompany the team but is not required. Faculty advisers must register separately for the conference. The competition spans two days: case distribution and a facility tour on April 11, followed by team presentations on April 12. Participation is limited due to space constraints.
 
Awards for the winning teams: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $200 for third place.
 
If your school is interested, please contact the conference chair, Dr. Sourish Sarkar (szs15@psu.edu) before registering your team. Additional information regarding the case will be provided later.
 
Teams from the following universities have initially confirmed their participation in the case competition:
 
Cleveland State University Penn State Behrend  
John Carroll University Youngstown State University  
Mercyhurst University University of Michigan–Dearborn  
Northern Kentucky University Duquesne University  
 
 

Friday, April 11, 2025

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. -- CASE COMPETITION TOUR STARTS

Competition starts at the case company.

Who:  Students, Advisors (optional)

When:  We ask all teams to be at the case company at 9:45 a.m. so we can start promptly at 10:00.

Where:  Erie Brewing Co., 6008 Knowledge Pkwy Erie, PA 16510

No open-toed shoes allowed.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. -- LUNCH

Who:  Students and Advisors

Where:  Erie Brewing Co.

12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. -- TEAM WORK TIME

Who:  Student teams

Where:  Penn State Behrend, Jack Burke Research and Economic Development Center (REDC)

Team work rooms will be assigned upon arrival.

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. -- COMPETITION Q & A SESSION w/ CASE AUTHORS

Who:  Student teams only.

Where:  Burke 002 (ground floor)

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. -- DINNER

Who:  All conference attendees.

Where:  McGarvey Commons, Reed Union Building (lower level)

Saturday, April 12, 2025

BREAKFAST

TBD

8 A.M. -- CASE PRESENTATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE

PowerPoint presentations must be submitted by 8 a.m. to cld112@psu.edu .

PowerPoint files must be named with the team name provided.

9:00 a.m. -- PRESENTATIONS START

  • Students must be in the Clark Cafe “waiting room” (Burke 1st fl.) by 8:45 a.m.  Presentation times will be randomly assigned.
  • Student teams can attend ONLY their own presentations.
  • Please bring something to occupy your time until you present.  Practice rooms are not available.

 

12:00 Noon -- LUNCH, AWARD CEREMONY, AND FINALE

Who:  All conference attendees.

Where:  McGarvey Commons, Reed Union Building (lower level)