The Collegian

Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: News

Hillsdale College's Students in Free Enterprise chapter will achieve a global reach as it develops two programs to benefit Filipino and Costa Rican youth.

"It feels really good to know that our program is already impacting the lives of children in two foreign countries," said junior Nathanael Wynia, SIFE treasurer.

For the first time in its three-year history, SIFE has begun overseas programs that are part of its International Education project. It benefits children in the Philippines and Costa Rica. Wynia said SIFE competition judges last year recommended the group start international programs.

SIFE has established a scholarship for a student in Costa Rica and a donation to fund books for a library in a Filipino orphanage called the Lingap Center. Wynia said Hillsdale connections in both countries encouraged them to establish the programs.

Director of Gift and Estate Planning J.T. McFarland is married to a Costa Rican. She helped the group identify a group of potential students in Costa Rica, Wynia said. He said John Drake '64, former CMS Energy vice president, established the Lingap Center in the Philippines.

Sophomore Brandon Carmack, SIFE vice president, said members independently brainstormed and executed their international programs. He said they started with a blank slate, knowing they wanted a foreign project of some kind. He said he is glad to see the projects' development. They keep the team motivated, he said.

"It's a proud feeling to know we're only a three-year organization and already going international, but it also makes us restless because it makes us want to do that much more," Carmack said.

To raise funds for their international projects, the students sold SIFE T-shirts featuring a Ronald Reagan quote during Parent Weekend and during the "Free Market and Politics Today" Center for Constructive Alternatives seminar. Wynia estimated SIFE made a $450 profit. Senior SIFE President Samuel Russell said he was pleased by the sales turnout.

"I'm excited about our international reach," Russell said. "We had an enthusiastic response from the parents as they sought to support our organization by purchasing T-shirts."

Wynia said the International Education project is not alone - SIFE is developing several other projects. He said SIFE arranged an advertising agreement with local businesses. SIFE distributes their advertisements on campus and the businesses offer discounts to the student body in return.

SIFE, in cooperation with Glory to God automotive in Hillsdale, announced a new spring break promotion on March 11 in an effort to promote local business on campus. Glory to God will offer free vehicle inspections in preparation for spring break travels. SIFE also hosted a presentation by local entrepreneurs on Feb. 12 for its second annual Groundbreakers project.

SIFE continues its commitments to area youth and held its second high school career fair at Jonesville High School. It attracted 75 students, up from 15 last year. SIFE continues its Young Investors program in area elementary schools, teaching youngsters basic finance and investing.

Wynia said SIFE is preparing for its organization's regional competition in Cincinnati, Ohio, on March 28. Among their pr ojects is a one-minute anti-piracy clip for the Motion Picture Association of America. SIFE will present a rap for the category, featuring junior David Stehlik and Wynia.

This is Russell's final semester as SIFE president. He initiated the Hillsdale SIFE chapter in the 2005 to 2006 academic year. Happy with the group's growth on campus, he said it will not be easy to leave the chapter upon graduation.

"It's a little sad," Russell said. "It's been great to see because the success has originated from the team as a whole […] It's been a good experience for me to be able to unify the diverse goals of the students on the team."

Hillsdale College Collegian 2008

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