The Falls School of Business (FSB) will attend the world’s largest student investment forum sponsored by the University of Dayton, held during AU spring break, March 18-20. Students will hear from financial leaders from across the country including keynote speakers from companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Morningstar, Inc., Moody Investors Service, and Merrill Lynch. Among those attending the conference are finance faculty along with several students majoring in finance.
Last year, the forum drew 2,700 participants representing 302 colleges and universities from 73 countries. Portions were broadcast on Bloomberg Television around the globe, and the event has been covered by every major wire service; from Dow Jones and Bloomberg to Reuters and the Associated Press. Students and professors from around the world interact with some of the biggest names on Wall Street. Ben Bernanke, chair of the Federal Reserve Board, joined the global discussion in 2005. Although rare, students in the past have met Nobel Laureates, Federal Reserve Bank presidents, and other internationally renowned industry leaders.
Dr. Kent Saunders, professor of finance and economics, has taken groups of students over the past two years. This year, four FSB students will attend: Jeremy Redman, Jacob Dodson, Joe Robinson, and Mike Dean. Saunders and fellow colleagues, Jill Merle and Kevin Brown will attend as FSB finance faculty members. According to Saunders, past students have taken a genuine interest in the activities of the conference. “In 2008, while at the forum, AU student analysts Damian Etchison and Cory Stahl were selected to be on stage during the first ever remote Nasdaq Stock Market closing bell ceremony on a college campus,” says Saunders.
The forum not only benefits students. Professors are able to participate in the conference in a variety of ways. “I look forward to the discussions and workshops with professionals from all over the world. In the past, we have heard from CEOs, CFOs, Chairmen of the Board, and current and past presidents of Federal Reserve Banks,” says Saunders. “It is a great opportunity to get that much insight all in one place.”
The United Nations Global Compact is a cosponsor of RISE. Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan first proposed the Global Compact in an address to the World Economic Forum in1999. He invited business leaders to join an international initiative, the Global Compact, which would bring companies together with UN agencies, labor and civil society to advance universal social and environmental principles.
Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology. Falls School of Business is one of Anderson University’s largest academic departments offering eight undergraduate majors as well as MBA and DBA programs. The school is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and is a member of the Christian Business Faculty Association (CBFA).
