Duff & Phelps National Case Study Competition
Noah Gottdiener, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of Duff & Phelps congratulates first-place winners Doug Rowe, Leonce Arceneaux, and Marc Dedrick from Brigham Young University.
Brigham Young University students Doug Rowe, Leonce Arceneaux, and Marc Dedrick emerged as the first-place winning team in our inaugural National Case Study Competition, which challenged students from schools across the country to solve a complex business valuation problem, and culminated in a final round of oral presentations at our New York headquarters.
A total of $25,500 in scholarship funds was presented to the three finalist teams, with the Brigham Young University team receiving the top prize of $15,000. The University of Southern California accepted a second-place scholarship award of $7,500; George Mason University was presented with third place and $3,000.
This year’s problem involved preparation of a fairness opinion for a master limited partnership that was evaluating whether to enter into an agreement with a pipeline company. Dr. Hal Heaton, the Denny Brown Professor of Business Management at Brigham Young University, advised the BYU team. He has expertise in capital markets, emerging markets, and finance, including corporate finance and entrepreneurial finance issues.
“Increased transparency and accountability have emerged as focal points throughout the post-crisis recovery effort, and the demand for reliable valuation expertise will only grow stronger,” said Noah Gottdiener, Duff & Phelps chief executive officer, president, and chairman. “During the final round of the National Case Study Competition, these students demonstrated the technical skill and professional standards necessary to meet the challenges ahead. With the support of their schools and the business community, this next generation of financial professionals will be ready to serve the needs of tomorrow’s business leaders, investors, consumers, and regulators.”
A panel of judges comprising nationally recognized valuation experts, academics, and professionals determined winners based on the teams’ performances during the final round of oral presentations in New York. Judges in the final round of competition represented Duff & Phelps, New York University, Villanova University, and The University of Texas.
“The Marriott School of Management at BYU is deeply honored by this award and recognition of our students,” said Gary Cornia, dean of Marriott School of Management at BYU. “Duff & Phelps is a corporation with a distinguished name in finance and financial issues, and to be honored in this way is very rewarding.”
Click here to download the winning case study.
Noah Gottdiener and second-place winners, the University of Southern California team.
Noah Gottdiener with the George Mason University team, who won third place.