Students learn about finance and network in Big Apple

By Sue McMurray, College of Business

Cougs-on-Wall-street-80PULLMAN, Wash. – Eight students recently earned a trip to an international conference in New York where they learned about business and networked with finance leaders and Washington State University alumni.

The students were participants of the College of Business’ Cougs on Wall Street program that provides select juniors and seniors with an opportunity to learn more about global financial markets and represent WSU to the broader financial community in New York.

Cougs-on-Wall-street-600
Front row, from left: Courtney Hastings, Haley Peterson, Lindsey Elhart and Shawna Lum. Back row, from left: George Jiang, Andy Nguyen, Alex Schulz, Paul Battson, Todd Mehrkens and David Whidbee, interim dean.

“New York enlightened me about so many different aspects of financial markets,” said Shawna Lum, junior finance and international business major. “It was a great networking experience and really helped push me to want to learn more.”

“If I didn’t go to WSU, I would never have experienced the benefits of the Cougs on Wall Street program,” said Courtney Hastings, junior finance major.

This is the second year students have been selected to attend the Quinnipiac G.A.M.E. Forum. The trip is sponsored annually by the Gary Brinson Chair in Investment Management held by George Jiang, professor of finance, and the Omer L. Carey Chair in Financial Education, held by David Whidbee, interim dean.

WSU alumnus Gary Brinson generously funds both chairs. Brinson is an investment manager and founder of a nonprofit foundation that supports, among other things, an annual finance lecture series at WSU.

More than 1,000 college students from 118 colleges and universities attended the three-day international forum, which included discussion panels, workshops and keynote speakers. Guy Adami, from Fast Money, and Al Angrisani, CEO and former president of Harris Interactive, were among the featured presenters.

Panelists addressed the global economy, alternatives investments and corporate governance. The forum emphasized student interaction and allowed time for questions throughout.

The WSU students participated in a networking event, hosted by alumnus Bob McMillan, where they connected with other alumni living in New York.

To learn more about the Cougs on Wall Street program, contact the Department of Finance and Management Science Office at 509-335-8727
or nicole.cherry@wsu.edu.