Alumni and Friends
Planned Giving
The Experience of a Lifetime
By Josh Toliver ‘15
Students from the Husky Growth Fund recently traveled to Chicago where they were hosted by multiple industry leaders in the financial sector, including the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and the Chicago Board Options Exchange. The SCSU Husky Growth Fund is a Foundation-owned investment portfolio managed by a team of select students. The purpose of this fund is to give students the opportunity to research, analyze, invest and track financial assets for the betterment of the portfolio.
The first visit was to William Blair & Company. Jason Lloyd, a national account manager, made professionals available to us who shared insight into the wealth management field. The first of two presenters were fixed income specialists. They discussed bond trading strategies as well as how this fits into a growth investment portfolio. The group also met with an equity analyst who discussed how he goes about finding and evaluating equities for quality purchases from an endless list of stocks.
Students toured the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) which used to hold thousands of screaming traders packed shoulder-to-shoulder. There are now only approximately 500 people working in the entire building. The Husky Growth Fund was one of the last groups allowed to tour this facility while it still existed.
The next stop was at UBS Financial Services where the group was treated to a tour from Deborah Wheeler, executive director for the Midwest. They were escorted into the executive board room on the 60th floor for a career path discussion which covered the culture of the financial services industry and UBS.
At Harris Associates, students were offered a glimpse into the wealth management industry. Daniel Nicholas, a client portfolio manager with more than 20 years of experience, facilitated a sales presentation where students were treated as portfolio managers. Following the scenario, the group discussed internship opportunities that are available to Husky Growth Fund members. These internships are usually only available to students of highly-recognized colleges like the University of Chicago or Stanford University.
The trip was financed, in part, by donor contributions to the Herberger Business School Program Fund. The Husky Growth Fund promoted the name of the University to professionals across the financial industry. They left each of the hosts with a plaque that displays St. Cloud State's name so they know who we are and the talent we bring. This trip was the best networking opportunity any school could imagine. Using its finest students to represent the University expands recognition and respect for St. Cloud State University and the incredible students it educates.
Make an Impact at St. Cloud State
If you would like more information about how you can make an impact on students at St. Cloud State University with a planned gift, please contact Josh M. Lease '96 at 320-308-4970 or jmlease@stcloudstate.edu.
Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.