Business students bring survivor winner to speak

ReAnne Utemark

Danni Boatwright has survival instincts in the untamed countryside of Guatemala and in the boardroom.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, May 5, Boatwright, winner of “Survivor: Guatemala,” will speak on her experiences in Henderson Room 100. Boatwright, who was also the second runner-up in the Miss USA pageant, will also address issues in business ranging from franchising to investing and marketing her success. Boatwright is currently the host of celeb.com.

Boatwright is originally from Tonganoxie, Kan., according to Brian Haug, president of the Washburn Sales and Marketing Executives organization. Her Kansas ties and the desire of the WSME club to be innovative and contemporary caused Haug to begin the search for her contact information. Haug said he and his organization wanted to host an event that would create a buzz on campus about WSME. He eventually found a phone number for Boatwright’s mother, who then got him in contact with Boatwright’s personal assistant, Marilyn Morman.

WSME, the Washburn School of Business, the Washburn Accounting Society, the American Business Women’s Association, the Washburn MBA Association, Collegiate Entrepreneurs, Phi Beta Lambda and the Washburn Student Government Association are hosting the event.

“Without the enthusiasm and support of everyone, this event never would have grown to the size we are planning for today,” said Haug.

There will be prizes, island food and other activities for participants. Door prizes will be given away during the evening. Audience members also have the chance to meet Boatwright personally during the meet and greet.