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Creators of pricing tool for online auctions wins Panasci competition
Three UB MBA students comprised the team that won more than $30,000 in cash and prizes at UB's annual Henry A. Panasci Jr. Technology Entrepreneurship Competition (Panasci TEC) for their new venture, AuctionCruncher.com.
Alan Zdon and Jaroslaw Sloboda, both students in the School Management's Professional MBA program, and Ryan MacLean, a student in the dual JD/MBA (law/management) program, have devised a plan for a company that helps bidders determine the actual fair-market value of consumer goods on auction sites like eBay.
In addition, AuctionCruncher.com has developed a software package called BiddingBuddy, which allows customers to view average selling price and price-range information while surfing active eBay auctions, enabling them to make smarter bidding decisions and save time and money.
The company also offers online sellers a direct market advertising service to give them the ability to reach target audiences at the product level.
AuctionCruncher.com derives its expertise in the online retail marketplace from its other e-commerce businesses, DigitalFix.com and MidnightBox.com, which specialize in consumer electronics, offering customers the opportunity to purchase products at deeply discounted prices.
Panasci TEC awards seed money and business services to the team that presents the best plan for launch of a viable new business. The prize package includes $25,000 in seed funding and one year of accounting and legal services. Six teams participated in this year's competition, and four teams of finalists presented their business plans publicly in the competition's final round.
The other finalists presented a variety of new venture ideas, including a medical device to harvest adult stem cells from donors for use in applications such as treating cancer, heart disease, degenerative brain disorders, diabetes and tissue generation; high-technology visualization software for design and financial industries; and a line of bone-regeneration products for the dental and orthopedic markets.
McNally to speak at "UB at Sunrise Downtown"
Jim McNally, Ed.M. '68, B.S. '66, entering his 26th season in the National Football League and second as offensive line coach of the Buffalo Bills, will be the featured speaker May 19 at the UB Alumni Association's "UB at Sunrise Downtown" breakfast series in the Hyatt Regency, 2 Fountain Plaza.
The event will begin with a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. The presentation will start at 8 a.m. and conclude promptly at 9 a.m. following a question-and-answer period.
McNally, who is included in the top echelon among position coaches in football today, will discuss "UB, Buffalo, the Bills." He holds UB degrees in business education and administration, and also is a graduate of Kenmore West High School.
A walk-on at UB who stood 5 feet 9 inches and played at a rock-solid 210 pounds, McNally was a standout on both the offensive and defensive lines for the late UB Coach Dick Offenhamer.
Pegged affectionately as "Mouse" by his junior high buddies for his speediness and elusiveness, McNally spent nine years as a college offensive line coach, including the first four at UB. He has coached in three Super Bowls—two with the Bengals and one with the Giants—and tutored Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz in Cincinnati.
The cost for the program is $12 per person, $10 per person for UB Alumni Association members. Reservations may be made by phoning the Office of Alumni Relations at 829-2608 by tomorrow.
Women's Club to hold spring luncheon
The UB Women's Club will hold its spring luncheon at 11:30 a.m. May 21 in Fanny's Restaurant, 3500 Sheridan Drive, Amherst.
The club's officers for 2005-06 will be installed. They are Alice Russ; president; Carmela Hanley, vice president; Ellen Pierino, treasurer; Elaine Kellick, recording secretary; Margaret Jusko, corresponding secretary; and Paula Noe, Carole Brox and Barbara Meenaghan, all members at large.
Club members presented 46 UB students with the Grace Capen Academic Award during a ceremony held on May 3 in the Jacobs Executive Development Center. The Grace Capen Award is funded by the numerous fund-raising activities conducted by the Women's Club throughout the year.
The Craft Group will meet on May 23 to try glass etching.
The Art History Group will visit the Orchard Tea Room in Burt on May 27 to see displays of local artists, as well as hear about the farm's history, including its part in the Underground Railroad.
The Garden Group will attend a workshop on how to enhance your garden with found objects on June 14.
For luncheon reservations or information on membership or any of the club's activities, call Joan Ryan at 626-9332.
Craft center sets spring workshops
The Creative Craft Center, located in 29 Harriman Hall, South Campus, will offer spring workshops, beginning the week of May 16.
Workshops are scheduled in knitting and crocheting, drawing for beginners, technique in fabric design, beginning and advanced stained glass, embroidery around the world, jewelry construction, basic photography, effective portraiture, aerial photography, lighthouse photography, vanishing Americana and landscape photography.
Workshops will run from 7-10 p.m. one night a week for six weeks. Fees are $40 for UB students and $70 for others.
For more information, a schedule and a map, call 829-3536 from 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday or 7-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
RIA seminar rescheduled
The May 20 seminar in the Research Institute on Addiction's Spring Seminar Series has been rescheduled to 10 a.m. June 10 at RIA, 1021 Main St., Buffalo.
The seminar, entitled "Longitudinal Research on Alcohol and Sexual Assault: The Women 2000 Study," will be presented by Maria Testa, senior research scientist at RIA.
For further information, contact RIA at 887-2566.