WSJ Challenge promotes competition and long-term learning 

Business schools across the country are using The Wall Street Journal as a tool to encourage their students to become more informed. Five weeks of studying the publication culminates each spring in the Wall Street Journal Challenge, which was hosted this year by Mays Business School.

Three-member teams compete in the challenge, which was established in 2014 and previously named the Fisher College of Business “Biz Quiz” at the Ohio State University.

This year’s challenge was Feb. 27 through March 1. In the individual challenge, each student competed in a three-part written test. In the team challenge, three-member teams responded to fast-paced oral questioning.

Representing Texas A&M University were first-time competitors and Business Honor students Joshua Chacko ’16, Logan McDivitt ’17 and Tyler Pavlas ’16.

The event was organized and led by Business Honors Advisor Eric Newman and Associate Dean and Professor Martha L. Loudder. Finance Executive Professor Ed White coached the Mays team. Jerry Strawser, former dean of Mays Business School, was moderator of the final round.

In attendance were teams of three undergraduates each from Texas A&M University, University of North Carolina, University of Texas, Miami University, University of Maryland, Emory University, University of Kentucky, Providence College, and University of Arizona.

The three top teams were tied after 85 questions into the 90-question final round. The University of Texas finished first by one point above Texas A&M, who was followed by the University of North Carolina in third place. For the individual round, Logan McDivitt of Texas A&M placed second.

Newman described the mood during the competition as tense, and said the audience members expressed awe at the competitors’ level of recall and understanding of the materials. “The competitors developed a great level of camaraderie with one another throughout the day,” he said. “They enjoyed the opportunity to get to know top students from peer institutions, and they were very congratulatory of one another’s accomplishments.”

McDivitt said he believed the team represented Mays and Texas A&M University very well. “Many of the opposing coaches were extremely complimentary of our team, our playing style, and our school,” he said.