Wolfpack Wins Big at Duke MBA Games

For nearly 35 years, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business MBA students have invited teams from across the state and around the country to compete against each other in a series of competitions – like relay races, tug of war, capture the flag and a dance-off – where all proceeds benefit North Carolina Special Olympics athletes. 

Leading up to this year’s games, members of the Fuqua student leadership team reached out to  NC State MBA Student Association (MBASA), inviting NC State to participate. Lizzy Reklau ‘17, ‘22, who served as president of the MBASA from 2021-2022, didn’t hesitate in her response – they were in!

Because, for Reklau, being a part of the Poole College Jenkins MBA Program was so much more than a way to advance her career. It was a chance to be a leader in her program and in her community – improving the lives of others every step of the way.

A native of Greensboro, N.C., Reklau initially came to NC State in 2013 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Shortly after graduation, she accepted a position as an administrative coordinator at Greenbrook TMS NeuroHealth Centers in Raleigh. However, after four years and a promotion to a regional TMS technician role, Reklau knew that she was ready for a change. 

“I was at a point in my career where I either could go back and get fully licensed to practice or take a deeper dive into the administrative side of healthcare, so I decided an MBA would give me the tools necessary to be a real industry changer and industry leader in healthcare,” says Reklau.

So, in 2020, she returned to NC State and entered the Jenkins MBA Program to pursue her Master of Business Administration in financial management. And it was her drive for leadership and dedication for service to others that led her to the 2022 Duke MBA Games.

“Once we heard about the amazing opportunity to work alongside other MBA programs and directly with Special Olympics athletes, we jumped at the opportunity and started building a team and fundraising immediately,” Reklau says.

Thanks to the support from fellow students, administration, faculty, staff and generous donors, we were able to hit our goal and secure our place at the games.

Affectionately dubbed the “Battle of the Triangle,” this year’s event included teams of MBA candidates from Duke, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and NC State. On the day of, Reklau and her teammates brought their school spirit and enthusiasm, and were paired up with four Special Olympics athletes to compete in a series of field day activities. And, in typical Wolfpack fashion, the Jenkins MBA team brought home the win. 

But for Reklau and her colleagues, the day was about so much more than a trophy.

“It was great to get to connect with fellow MBA students from other programs and form a true bond through service. And the chance to connect with athletes who are a direct beneficiary of the fundraising we did was incredible,” says Reklau. “As MBASA president, I wanted the names NC State and Jenkins to be synonymous with service, and I hope through events like the MBA Games, that is something we have achieved.”