Woltemade Big Problem Challenge
10-10:45 a.m.
LOCATION: Merrick Hall 301

Ohio Wesleyan students have been challenged to use entrepreneurial thinking to create plans that could improve water quality in the Ohio River and/or Lake Erie. The individuals or teams that present the all-round best solutions will receive $3,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place.  The students will have five minutes to present their plans before a panel of judges with expertise in water issues and/or social enterprise.  The challenge is sponsored by The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship. Admission is free. Learn more at owu.edu/woltemade

Competition Judge: Phil Smith
Director of the Delaware Entrepreneurial Center at OWU

Competition Judge: Lauren Richards
Natural Resources Specialist, Preservation Parks of Delaware County

Competition Judge: Lisa Roberts
Watershed and Sustainability Coordinator, City of Delaware, OH

Competition Judge: Brian Stier
Business Teacher, Dublin City Schools
Moderator: Matt Vollrath
Faculty Director of Woltemade Center; Associate Professor of Business Administration
Moderator: Destiny Coleman
Administrative Director of Woltemade Center

Students Competing

  • Terrabuffer: Sustainable Solutions
    • Blake Johnson '24
      Major: Politics & Government
    • Zoë Swanson '24
      Major: Pre-Professional Zoology
  • Saline Solutions
    • Ryan McKee '24
      Major: Pre-Professional Zoology
    • Luke Miller '27
      Major: Environmental Science
    • Alex Bzdafka '27
      Majors: Biology and Environmental Science
  • Elemental Advances: Sandstone/Limestone Filtration
    • Matthew Kelley '24
      Major: Environmental Science
    • Payton Andisman '24
      Major: Biology
    • Owen Dooley '27
      Major: Cemistry
    • Andrea Pichardo '27
      Majors: Biochemistry and Environmental Science
  • Mercury Reduction in the Ohio River
    • Jocelyn Weaver '24
      Majors: Environmental Science, Geography, and Botany
    • Alex Casper '24
      Majors: Computer Science, Data Analytics, and Quantitative Economics
  • Blooms To Hues: Transforming Lake Erie Algae Into Sustainable Paints
    • Amarilys Torres-Nunez '25
      Majors: Zoology and Anthropology 

Contact Info

Location

Slocum Hall
61 S. Sandusky St.
Delaware, OH 43015

Contacts

David D. Markwardt
Associate Dean of the OWU Connection
Slocum Hall 308 | ddmarkwa@owu.edu

Megan R. Ellis
Executive Director of the OWU Connection
Slocum Hall 211 | mrellis@owu.edu