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team of four Penn State Smeal College of Business students - seniors Luke Wagner and Ethan Snyder, junior Liam Buckley, and sophomore Logan Wrigley - took top honors in the ICSC/UNC Retail Real Estate Case Competition. The event, held annually during the ICSC Las Vegas Convention, drew 16 top undergraduate real estate programs from across the United States and Canada.

    The team's first-place finish earned them a $10,000 prize. Under the guidance of Mallory Meehan, clinical associate professor of real estate, they tackled a complex case involving the revitalization of a struggling retail center in California within a tight five-day timeframe.

    "This win is a testament to our students' exceptional abilities and the strength of our real estate program," said Meehan. "The team demonstrated impressive analysis, creativity, and professionalism under pressure."

    Penn State's real estate program was one of just 16 selected to compete in the competition, jointly hosted by the International Council of Shopping Centers and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School. The event challenges students with real-world development scenarios and connects them directly with industry leaders.

    The Borrelli Institute for Real Estate Studies sponsored the competition team and supported 10 additional students who attended the ICSC convention for networking and professional development, reflecting the institute's commitment to blending academic excellence with real-world experiences that prepare students for successful careers in real estate.