Sponsored by the Charles M. Bauervic Foundation, Contest Encourages Students to Create Videos About ‘Celebrating Capitalism: The Freedom to Choose’
Northwood University students have a new opportunity to turn big ideas about freedom into compelling stories — and compete for cash prizes — through a new Celebrating Capitalism Video Essay Contest sponsored by the Charles M. Bauervic Foundation.
The competition challenges students to create four- to six-minute videos around the theme “Celebrating Capitalism: The Freedom to Choose.” It is open to all students enrolled at Northwood during the fall 2026 semester.
First place will receive a $1,500 cash prize, followed by $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place. Seven additional finalists will each receive a $100 Northwood University Bookstore gift card.
“This contest asks students to think about how the freedom to choose shapes their own lives and the opportunities available to others,” said Humanities Chair Dr. Dale Moler. “We want them to explore the ideas behind capitalism and use their creativity to explain why those ideas matter.”
The new competition continues the Charles M. Bauervic Foundation’s support of opportunities that encourage Northwood students to engage with the principles of a free society. Last spring, the foundation sponsored Northwood’s Our Republic: Can We Keep It? Video Competition.
Entries for the new Celebrating Capitalism Video Essay Contest should examine the core principles of a free society, including individual choice, voluntary exchange, private property and economic freedom. Students are encouraged to consider how those principles can reduce poverty and advance human rights, equality, peace and justice.
Videos will be judged on creativity, clarity of message, historical insight and inspirational quality. To help students develop their entries, Northwood will host a video creation workshop at 6 p.m. Nov. 5 in Sloan 110.
“At Northwood, we encourage students to examine how free enterprise creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and serve others,” said Dean and Associate Provost Dr. Stacey Tetloff. “We appreciate the Bauervic Foundation’s support for an opportunity that brings those ideas to life through student storytelling.” The link for students to upload contest entries will be available Nov. 1. The deadline to submit videos is Jan. 2, 2027, and winners will be announced Feb. 22.
