For Immediate Release – Lawton, OK, Sept. 15, 2005
Note to editors: A high-quality picture of Matthew Modeste is available in jpeg format upon request.
Cameron University SIFE student selected
as a representative of U.S. at World Cup
Cameron University’s Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team is recognized as one of the finest in the
United States, winning the inaugural 2005 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan
Competition and the SIFE regional championships during the 2004-2005 school year.
Now one of Cameron’s SIFE team members has been recognized on the global stage. Matthew Modeste, a
senior accounting major from Saint Lucia, was selected as one of 100 university SIFE students from 27
countries to present at the HSBC Financial Literacy Forum as part of the SIFE World Cup Exposition
scheduled for Oct. 4 in Toronto.
Modeste is one of only 19 students from the United States selected to present at the annual forum.
“I look at this honor as a crowning achievement for our team, not me,” Modeste said. “We worked so hard
together, and I would not have been able to earn this distinction without the help and support from the
entire SIFE Team.”
To be considered for a presentation at the World Cup Exposition, the Cameron SIFE team had to first
secure an HSBC Financial Literacy grant. Modeste and Cinnamon Bock, a 2005 Cameron graduate, coauthored the successful grant proposal along with research and assistance from the entire SIFE team.
After successful completion of the projects supported by the grant, Modeste wrote the final report outlining
the numerous uses of the grant. Modeste’s report was selected as one of the finest in the world, and
garnered him the opportunity to attend the World Cup Exposition.
(over)
SIFE, ADD ONE
“I am excited for Matthew and very proud of all of the SIFE team members for their contributions to our
community,” said Sylvia Burgess, Dean of the School of Business. “The invitation for Cameron to deliver a
presentation at the SIFE World Cup Exposition is a tremendous testament to the exceptional quality and
ability of all Cameron students, as well as to the quality of education they are receiving. From Southwest
Oklahoma, our students have achieved international recognition and top honors. I feel very fortunate to be
part of a university that truly challenges students to reach the highest levels of success.”
The HSBC Financial Literacy Forum offers students the opportunity to share the financial literacy projects
they have conducted in their communities during the past five months through the special grant initiative.
SIFE teams from about 300 university campuses received grants to help fund community outreach projects
that encouraged financial literacy.
SIFE is a non-profit organization that mobilizes university students to create economic opportunities for
others. Active on 1,800 university campuses in more than 40 countries, SIFE is the world’s largest
collegiate organization devoted to economic and enterprise education. SIFE students develop projects in
their communities that teach entrepreneurship, market economics, business ethics and personal financial
success skills.
– 30 –
PR#05-201
Editors and Broadcasters: For details, contact CU Government & Community Relations at 580.581.2211.