Business Students Return from Denmark Following Global Grundfos Challenge

Three Rockhurst University business students have returned home after competing in the Global Grundfos Challenge Finals in Denmark last week: Anna Juenemann, ’14, business and accounting, of Colby, Kan.; Sarah White, ’13, BSBA, of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; and Andy Holt, ’13 MBA, also of Lee’s Summit, Mo. The Rockhurst team recently claimed a top spot at the regional business competition sponsored by Grundfos, a global leader in high-efficiency water technology, back in November, earning them the all-expenses-paid trip to the company’s home country.

Although the team did not win the overall international competition, each student said the experience was the real prize.

“The final challenge was a great learning experience and allowed us to use applicable business skills in a real-life, competitive environment,” said Juenemann. “The most rewarding part of the experience was the opportunity to be surrounded by incredibly intelligent individuals with a true drive to succeed.”

Rockhurst, along with a team from Purdue University, represented North America in the challenge, competing against each other as well as the regional winners from Denmark and China.

In the end, the Copenhagen Business School was the overall business winner.

“This challenge was an experience of a lifetime,” said Holt. “We worked with and against teams from other countries, which tested our ability to communicate across language barriers and cultural differences. Even though our solution didn’t bring home the top prize, the skills we all developed are worth more to our careers and personal development than any prize is worth.”

Similar to the regional challenge, the global challenge required students to work as a team to solve an international water issue and turn theoretical knowledge into a practical business strategy. Teams had four days to develop their business solutions before presenting to a panel of judges.

“These students did an incredible job representing Rockhurst University,” said Laura Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., professor of economics and faculty liaison to the Rockhurst team. “Each brought a tremendous amount of creativity and expertise to the team. We are all very proud of everything they have accomplished and know that this experience is one they will carry with them well into their careers.”

For more information, visit http://us.grundfos.com/about-us/Grundfos%20Challenge.html.