The Alfred University Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Team returned to campus as winners after participating in the Philadelphia SIFE USA Regional Competition on March 30, 2007. The event was one of 17 SIFE U.S.A. regional competitions conducted in March and April.

After presenting a report of their yearlong community outreach projects to a panel of business leaders, the Alfred University SIFE Team was selected first runner-up in the overall competition.

SIFE is an international non-profit organization active on more than 1,400 university campuses in 48 countries. SIFE teams create economic opportunities in their communities by organizing outreach projects that focus on: market economics, entrepreneurship, personal financial success skills and business ethics.

During this academic year, the Alfred University SIFE team organized six projects in the Alfred community, including an art auction with two major goals in mind: to create a business outlet for students enrolled in the School of Art and Design and to raise money for a local charity with direct results. The event was held at the Wellsville Creative Arts Center. Almost $5,000 was raised with almost $800 going to the Allegany Cancer Services Foundation and $475 to the SIFE team.

Dr. Abderrahman Robana, faculty adviser for SIFE, accompanied the students to the competition. He has been a finance faculty member in the College of Business since 1971 and a Sam Walton Fellow since 1997.