Earl Stafford's second $100K gift establishes student managed portfolio fund in Business Schoo
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Posted By: on January 25, 2012 “To help those in need become self-reliant so that they will in turn be inspired to help others.” This is the simple principle behind The Stafford Foundation’s “Do Good” campaign and the fundamental philosophy of its founder: businessman and philanthropist Earl Stafford. Mr. Stafford drew national recognition for his 2009 People’s Inaugural Project where he funded the opportunity for underserved and marginalized individuals to witness the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama. In keeping with his generous spirit, Stafford donated $100,000 to Virginia State University’s Low Income Families with Talented Students (LIFTS) financial aid program in 2010. Recently, he reaffirmed his commitment to VSU by making a second, $100,000 donation to the Reginald F. Lewis School of Business (RFLSB) to create a Trading Portfolio Fund. Stafford’s latest gift will serve two, very distinct, yet important objectives for the School: to enhance the financial market acumen of young men and women and to encourage alumni and industry investment in this innovative experience and in the School itself. During the renovation of the RFLSB, Singleton Hall, where the school is housed, was equipped with a high-tech stock market Trading Center. The Center provides students a true “Wall Street” experience. In order to give VSU students a practical, accurate understanding of the intricacies of the financial world, the RFLSB has joined other prestigious institutions in teaching market research and portfolio management with the same tools traders use on Wall Street. Students enrolled in the Advanced Investment Management (FINC460) class are divided into competing teams during the semester. With guidance from Virginia Asset Management, and under the direction of Professor of Accounting and Finance Dr. Hari Sharma, students learn how to research equity issues and how to build portfolios that can survive and thrive in today’s economy. They will buy, sell, monitor and re-invest funds derived from Stafford’s gift. Stafford sees this venture as the chance to inspire others to invest in the education of students in the RFLSB. “Students will no longer have to theorize about trading – they will have the ability to trade stocks with real money as though they were on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange,” says Dr. Mirta M. Martin, Dean of the RFLSB. “This will enhance their educational experience and provide them with a competitive advantage in a constantly changing marketplace.” If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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