The bet was simple.

If any Missouri Southern student-member of Delta Epsilon Chi received a first-place finish at the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, adviser Tim Hochhalter would shave his head.

“It taught me a lesson,” Hochhalter said. “Don’t underestimate my students.”

Lisa Matthews, Matt Major and Travis Adams, all members of DECCA, were on a first-place team at the conference.

A man of his word, Hochhalter shaved his head.

“I was shocked and very excited for them,” Hochhalter said. “It was a one-shot deal.”

Eleven students from Southern made the April 13 trip to Orlando.

Casey Boyd, senior marketing and international business major, has been the president of DECCA for two years.

“I’m really proud of them,” Boyd said.

At the conference, students were sectioned off in the particular state they were representing.

“When they announced our name, our whole state section went in an uproar,” Hochhalter said. “It was a neat experience.”

Students in Free Enterprise, a Southern student-run organization, is heading to its post season as well May 11 in Kansas City at the SIFE National Exposition.

SIFE will present community based projects to a group of judges. The group’s project this year was “Teach Reading to Every Kid,” or TREK, in collaboration with the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce.

“It was outstanding to see children progress in reading,” said Brad Conley, SIFE president.

“We were able to help the kids catch up.”

At this year’s finals, more than 200 colleges and universities will attend. SIFE will present its project presentations to a series of judges in a tournament atmosphere. Three years ago Southern was second runner up. Two years ago it was first runner up.

“We’ve put us in the position to advance in the competition,” Conley said.

Conley said he enjoys SIFE because of the opportunity that’s available.

“SIFE gives students the opportunity to do something bigger,” he said. “We can help the community…and that’s inspiring.”