Campus News
Westminster Wins D.A. Davidson Student Investment Competition
Westminster finance students beat out 20 regional schools, S&P 500 and Dow Jones averages
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Krista DeAngelis (801) 832-2682
Sept. 15, 2008
SALT LAKE CITY– Westminster is pleased to announce that after a year-long, head-to-head battle against 20 schools, a select group of the college’s finance students have claimed the top spot in the D.A. Davidson Student Competition for the 2007-08 academic year. The competition officially concluded on Aug. 31, 2008.
In a year marked by extreme volatility, sub-prime meltdowns, credit crises, surging energy prices and geo-political turmoil, only three of the 20 schools involved in the competition posted positive returns. Westminster came out on top in the final standings with an impressive 10.87% return.
“This result is even more impressive when compared against the S&P 500 (down 12.97%) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (down 13.58%) over the same time period,” said Ryan Hessenthaler, former director of Westminster’s Center for Financial Analysis. “Westminster students outperformed the S&P 500 by 23.84% and the Dow by 24.45%.”
According to their website, D.A. Davidson created the annual Student Investment Program to give senior-level business students hands-on education in investing and portfolio management. Students from 20 colleges and universities within the Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions receive $50,000 per school total to invest in the markets over the course of the year. Unlike programs that offer simulated investing experiences, these students use real money, pay execution costs and earn interest on cash and dividends on securities. Most importantly, the schools share in the profits so Westminster will benefit financially from this particular win. D.A. Davidson will split the profits 50/50 with schools that return 5% or more overall.
Westminster’s winning team of student investment managers included: Becca Javadi, Bita Bakhshandehpour, Brian Collard, Chris Castelli, David Royall, Dustin Robins, Jennifer Porter, Joseph Newton, Marie Lallemand, Ryan Hoel, Ryan Koelliker, Scott Clawson, and Tyler Herd.
D.A. Davidson Student Investment Rankings and Returns:
Ranking and Institution Return
1 Westminster College 10.87%
2 Eastern Washington University 7.04%
3 Gonzaga University 3.81%
4 Idaho State University -3.77%
5 Univ. of Col. - Colorado Springs -6.26%
6 University of Utah -7.50%
7 University of Oregon -11.16%
8 Montana State Univ. - Billings -12.37%
9 Carroll College -12.54%
10 Boise State University -13.35%
11 Portland State University -13.77%
12 Montana State Univ. - Bozeman -15.11%
13 Brigham Young University -15.17%
14 University of Wyoming -15.35%
15 Utah State University -15.46%
16 University of Idaho -17.36%
17 University of Montana -19.75%
18 Washington State University -21.59%
19 University of Washington -22.75%
20 Seattle University -44.28%
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu
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