The Written Case Competition at this year’s SAM International Business Conference delivered exactly what it was designed to do. It gave students the opportunity to step into a real business challenge and show how they think, how they write, and how they solve problems when the stakes feel real.
In the Invitational Division, that opportunity translated into a highly competitive field of emerging talent. These are students early in their academic journeys, but you would not know it by the level of analysis and professionalism reflected in their work. From the very beginning, it was clear that this group was not approaching the case as an academic exercise. They treated it like a real assignment with real consequences.
The case itself centered on Senesco Marine, a Rhode Island based shipbuilding and marine services company. Teams were tasked with developing a written executive summary that distilled their ideas into clear, actionable recommendations. That alone is a challenge. Doing it well requires discipline, structure, and the ability to prioritize what matters most.
What elevated this experience even further was the evaluation process. Submissions were reviewed by a panel of judges that included representatives from Senesco Marine. That detail changes everything. Students were not just writing for a grade or a rubric. They were presenting ideas to professionals who understand the industry, the challenges, and the realities behind the decisions.
And the students delivered. “This entire experience has been amazing,” said Senesco Marine President Ted Williams. “These teams have just blown my mind with some of the ideas and innovations they have suggested.”
From a competition standpoint, this year stood out. According to Competitions Chair Wesley Lopez, the margin between teams was as tight as it has been in recent memory. That kind of outcome does not happen by accident. It reflects a group of students who were prepared, thoughtful, and willing to push their ideas further.
Invitational Division Winners
First Place — New England Institute of Technology
Leah E. Huxhold, Shelby Sams, Jacque Galligan, and Ashley England
Second Place — NEIT – Early College Program
Benjamin Saccoccio, Joey Nassar, Davis Collette, Abraham Oshinkanlu, and Jorge Martins
Third Place — Stephen F. Austin State University
Austin Gartzman and Will Phelps
Each of these teams approached the case with a different perspective, but what they shared was a clear ability to communicate their thinking. That is what this competition is really about. Not just having a good idea, but being able to present it in a way that others can understand, evaluate, and act on.
The Invitational Division continues to set the tone for what is possible when students are given the chance to engage with meaningful, real-world challenges early in their development. If this group is any indication, the future of the competition and the profession is in very good hands.