Music education major John Gavin became the first non-business student to win the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ College of Business (#ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½Business) Failure Competition this month, earning $500 and a letter of recommendation from Dean Paul Jarley, Ph.D. Second and third place winners Jonathon Valin and Ida Santiago were awarded $300 and $200, respectively.

This is the seventh semester that the Failure Competition has been held, but only the second one open to all enrolled ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ students.

β€œGetting comfortable with failure is a key step in becoming a better risk–taker and successful business leader,” said Dean Jarley in a blog post. β€œThat is why we celebrate failure and persistence in the college.”

In an essay and video posted to Dean Jarley’s blog (), Gavin described a series of setbacks he encountered in college as he worked to achieve his dream of being a professional musician. He was rejected by the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Music Department and cut from three separate drum corps. Still, he persevered.

β€œEvery audition is an opportunity for success or failure,” said Gavin. β€œPeople never see the hundreds of thousands of hours musicians must spend alone in a practice room. Similar to any other refined skill, successful music-making requires repeated deliberate practice.”