Foxworth among UT Tyler 'Big Idea Challenge' winners

Students at The University of Texas at Tyler won the top cash prizes for their creative ideas at the School of Business Administration 2009 Big Idea Challenge Competition.

Fourteen student-groups envisioned an innovative business idea and presented their ideas to a panel of judges representing the business community. The event was open to both UT Tyler students and area college students.

University students Mark Foxworth of Kilgore, Tiffany Grissaffi of Palestine, Emilie Haskins of Tyler, Jeff Hawthorne of Farmers Branch, Cheryl Henson of Tyler and Kat Welge of Longview took the $500 first-place prize for their "Smart Bottle" idea - a baby bottle designed with the convenience of mixing formula without the hassle of carrying each supply needed.

University student and military veteran Paul Miles of Hallsville received the $300 second-place prize for his "FOLKS Light" idea - a device to help soldiers detect land bombs.

Judges for the event were Dr. Greg Clary with the Texas Center for Rural Entrepreneurship; Donald Proudfoot, Tyler Junior College Small Business Development Center director; and Price Arredondo, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce member.

Dr. Isaura Flores, UT Tyler professor of management and Center for Entrepreneurship director, announced the winners.

"Students who are interested in entrepreneurship should take a class we're offering this fall," Flores said.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship (MANA 3325) is open to all majors and has no prerequisites, she added.