Merchandising and digital retailing students Ashley Nudge, Katelyn Patrick, Nichole Fallis and Mckenzie Hibler took first place in the National Retail Federation Student Challenge in January, beating 16 teams.

The four developed the Medici RFID Trattoria Tote concept for the online retailer eBags to capture the first-ever first place win for UNT's Department of Merchandising and Digital Retailing in the competition. Billed by the group as a "modern woman's briefcase," the tote would include specially designed compartments to store, protect and organize digital devices and essentials. They were awarded scholarships for their pitch of a product worthy of a national retailer.

UNT is the only university to have a team in the top-three finalists round in all three years since the competition began.