The first annual Business Plan Competition awards presentations took place Thursday, April 3, 2003 in the College of Business Administration. The eight finalists gave public presentations of their business plans to an audience that included Marquette University students, faculty, and alumni, as well as Milwaukee Entrepreneurs.

The keynote address was given by Matthew M. Umentum (College of Business Administration 1985), president of Rol-Tec, Inc. of Green Bay, and the recipient of this year's Marquette University Young Alumnus Award. Umentum shared his experiences purchasing a company headed into bankruptcy and developing it into a thriving business.

Cash awards ranging from $500-$1500 were presented in the Undergraduate Student, Graduate Student, and Alumni categories, as well as a $15,000 Grand Prize.