Regina Oakman displays the SIFE 2008 Regional Champion Trophy.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Regent student and SIFE member, Regina Oakman, will carry the Virginia state flag during the opening ceremonies for the 2008 SIFE USA National Exposition in Chicago, Ill., May 13.

 

This is the first time the Regent University SIFE Team has been selected by SIFE World Headquarters to carry the state flag.

 

“Regina will lead all of the competing SIFE teams from Virginia as they parade into the opening ceremonies,” explained Dr. Greg Stone, faculty advisor for the Regent SIFE Team. “She is a Virginia native and was selected for her leadership with the SIFE Biz4Kids Program at Norview High School.”

 

“Regent SIFE has a positive reputation throughout the United States, has consistently shared their team spirit with other teams and has earned the privilege of carrying the Virginia flag,” explained Brittany Atwood, regional director for the SIFE Teams in the southeastern U.S. “It's a great honor for both the team and individual to be chosen to be part of this opening event.” 

 

Born at Ft. Monroe, Oakman is a Virginia native. She completed her undergraduate studies at Regent University in 2006, then went on to pursue a joint master's degree in practical theology and organizational leadership in Regent's School of Divinity and School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship.

 

Throughout the school year, SIFE teams take what they are learning in the classroom and go into their community to teach others about market economics, entrepreneurship, personal success, financial literacy and business ethics. The SIFE USA National Exposition brings regional SIFE champion teams from across the country to compete for the title of U.S. Champion. That winner will represent the United States in the World Cup in Singapore in October.

 

“SIFE membership and project work can be very rewarding,” Oakman added. “I really enjoy teaching and mentoring the kids in the Biz4kids program. It literally changes the lives of these urban high school students. For example, we’ve seen ninth grade promotion rates increase and delinquency rates decrease!”

 

Congresswoman Thelma Drake honored Oakman by recently visiting her SIFE project. “It’s cool to see your work recognized by a Virginia congresswoman,” beamed Oakman. “Mrs. Drake shared with me how gratifying it was to see Regent students working with area high school students to improve lives.”

 

SIFE teams use the positive power of business to make a difference in communities around the country. The SIFE USA National Exposition brings together the top business leaders of today and tomorrow for three days of competition, networking and best practice sharing. Regent University is also a finalist in the SIFE Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) Anti-Piracy PSA contest and is a candidate for the Jack Shewmaker SIFE Spirit Award.

 

“It’s been a remarkable experience to be a SIFE presenter, work with other wonderful SIFE team members and compete against the best of the U.S. SIFE teams!” Oakman summarized. “Advancing to the SIFE National Competition and representing Virginia is one of my most exciting times as a Regent student!”

Related Articles

• Regent SIFE Wins Regional Championship, Advances to Nationals
• SIFE Anti-Piracy PSA Advances to Nationals

 

---

About SIFE

SIFE is an international not-for-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, success skills, financial literacy and business ethics. To learn more about Students In Free Enterprise, visit the Regent SIFE website at www.regent.edu/sife or contact the directors at sife@regent.edu.