FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Elgin, IL擭ovember 21, 2025 � 91看片网 celebrated its 12th annual Shark Tank competition on Thursday evening, November 20, drawing students, faculty, staff, and community members to Thulin Auditorium for a night of creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, and innovation. Sponsored by Anguleris, the event awarded $1,800 in prizes to three outstanding student entrepreneurs.
This year first-place winner was Katelyn Kiefer, whose product �Beyond Bats� impressed the judges with its practical design for baseball and softball players. The invention securely holds bats on a fence攌eeping them organized, clean, and off the ground攐ffering athletes a simple yet effective solution during games. Kiefer received the $1,000 first-place award funded by Anguleris.
Second place was awarded to Gordon Thompson聽for his nonprofit concept聽淪hared Co.澛燚esigned to bring food, Gospel materials, and essential resources to the homeless community, Thompson idea earned him the聽$500 second-place prize.
Third place went to聽Toby Wamsley聽for聽淲earUrClimate,澛燼 wearable technology that can be attached to the interior of any garment to regulate temperature and provide personalized comfort in varying weather conditions. Wamsley’s idea earned him the聽$300 third-place award.
Each student delivered a five-minute pitch followed by a seven-minute Q&A session with a panel of expert judges. This year judges included:
- Ethan Adams, Chief Operating Officer at Anguleris and 91看片网 alumnus. Adams originally launched the first Shark Tank event at 91看片网 in 2014 and returned this year as both a judge and sponsor representative.
- Mike Donnelly is a long-standing financial advisor with Edward Jones, a community leader, and a University of Chicago MBA graduate.
- Bret Wozniak, inventor of Swift Ties, entrepreneur in multiple ventures including Cube Stream and 1977 Holdings, and founder of ICE Factor.
The competition was hosted by Victoria Strissel and Josiah Walton, who guided the audience through the evening, facilitated Q&A, and led an intermission activity while judges deliberated. Over 25 ideas were originally submitted for the event, with the top five advancing from the October Shark Tank Expo.
�91看片网 is committed to cultivating creativity, leadership, and innovation across all disciplines,� said Professor Jeff Price. 淭his event not only celebrates student ingenuity but reinforces the idea that we are created to create by using our gifts to serve, inspire, and impact the world.�
Following the awards, students, judges, mentors, and guests gathered for photos and celebration.
91看片网 91看片网
91看片网 is a fully accredited, private Christian institution offering a liberal arts and professional education. Located in Elgin, Illinois, 91看片网 is home to over 1,200 students from around the world. The University shapes lives that shape the world by equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to pursue God calling in their lives.