DBU REPORT 20 2022 Big Idea Challenge Awards Glatzl, Rodriguez, and Cook win 1st Place for “Our Journey” Dallas Baptist University hosted the latest Big Idea Challenge (BIC) on the DBU campus in December. This event allows students to pitch their creative ideas to an esteemed panel of judges. The BIC encompasses the Business as a Mission principle that DBU embraces. “Through the Big Idea Challenge, we encourage students to apply what they are learning in the classroom to proactively find solutions and opportunities to join God in His work of restoring creation,” says Dr. Ross O’Brien, Professor of Management and Director of The Center for Business as Mission. “This year’s event was a great example of how students are creatively addressing issues like protecting the environment, alleviating stress and anxiety, and supporting social businesses.” This year’s first-place grand prize was awarded to the team of Morgan Glatzl, Marina Rodriguez, and Tiara Cook for “Our Journey,” a student mentoring program where freshmen will be paired with upperclassmen to help them navigate college life. “I came up with my idea because of my experience going into college. I originally started at a different public university, but since I came from a private Christian school for my K-12 education, I had a major culture shock. I didn’t know anyone on campus, had trouble making friends, and overall felt really lonely,” Morgan shares. “The app was inspired by this feeling. I wanted to come up with some way to prevent that terrible feeling in freshmen across the country. That’s how Our Journey was born!” Keaton May and Ben Huteson walked away with second place for their hurricane prediction technology idea, “Triton.” These two are no strangers to the Big Idea Challenge, as they won first place in fall 2021 for their Big Idea “Brightlife,” a non-toxic spray formula that will make trees glow to cut down on electricity used in urban areas. Third place was given to Samuel Isai and Cesar Olvera for their idea for a platform called “Do-Gooder” that connects consumers with social brands that would allow them to support the brands that appeal to their personal interests and needs. The 2022 BIC judges listened to each pitch and awarded these top three teams with cash prizes and matching scholarships provided by The Lion’s Den DFW. DBU was encouraged by all of the passionate ideas that have the potential to solve large problems in our society. Tish Hearne, Event Judge and Higher Education Program Director, winning team Morgan Glatzl, Marina Rodriguez, Tiara Cook, and Kurt Knapton, Event Judge, Investor and Strategic Advisor at Realm Resources, and member of the Lion’s Den DFW team Tish Hearne (l) and Kurt Knapton (r) with second place winners Ben Huteson and Keaton May
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