PITTSBURG, Kan. — To prepare an entry for a national community banking competition, a student team from Pittsburg State’s Kelce College of Business turned to the most logical mentors: local community bankers. For the competition, facilitated by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, the team — comprised of Jack Charlton (Harrisonville, Missouri), Jessie Leininger (Shawnee, Kansas), and Sam Holman (Cassville, Missouri) — conducted an original case study. “The study highlights why community banks are vital to the American economy, as well as their unique business model that boosts economic growth in local communities,” said Professor Michael Davidsson, who along with Assistant Professor Alex Binder directed the team.