Student Engagement Opportunities
Educational Investment Fund
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| Chuck Sherburne '97, Stephanie Vogel '95, and senior Finance major Laura Schaberger. |
The Educational Investment Fund (EIF) is a real-money, student-run investment portfolio. Students in their senior year are selected for participation on the basis of merit. A board of directors consisting of industry professionals meets regularly with the students and provides individual mentorship. Fund proceeds are used for scholarships, awards, and other departmental and student needs. The Educational Investment Fund, which is celebrating its 25th year of existence, now has total assets of over $400,000.
Current EIF students and faculty enjoyed a recent opportunity to meet with EIF alumni working in the Chicago area. The event was held at the Union League Club in October with 51 attendees. EIF Advisory Board Chairperson, Greg White, and COB Development Director, Claranne Perkins '70, helped coordinate the gathering based on the desire of EIF alumni to network and learn. The speaker for the event was Paul Kasriel, Senior Vice President and Director of Economic Research at Northern Trust. In his address Kasriel explored the effect of current mortgage lending problems on the macroeconomic outlook.
For more information on the Educational Investment Fund and its activities contact FIL Chair, Gary Koppenhaver at gkoppen@ilstu.edu or EIF Faculty Coordinator, Tom Howe at tshowe@ilstu.edu.
Professional Sales Institute
Brad Kaufmann, Samantha McCarthy and Sami Nassar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Sales Scholars at Illinois State University, participated in the Russ Berrie Institute National Sales Challenge at William Patterson University in Wayne, New Jersey in November. The students completed a needs assessment role-play, speed selling event, and a sales in-basket activity. Jill Attaway (MKT), Associate Director of the Professional Sales Institute for Communications & Corporate Relations, accompanied the students.
The event was sponsored by a variety of Fortune 100 companies and other prestigious businesses including Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hess, McKesson, Hilti, Marriott Vacation Club International, Tom James, News America Marketing, Strike Interactive, EMC2, AT&T, DHL, Stryker and BD (Becton Dickinson). Participation enabled the sales scholars to hone their professional skills, network with the brightest sales students from around the country, and interview for positions with sponsoring companies.
For more information on the Professional Sales Institute and it's activities contact the following:
Michael Williams, Professional Sales Institute Director - mrwilli@ilstu.edu;
Jill Attaway, Associate Director Communications & Corporate Relations - jsattaw@ilstu.edu;
Michael Humphreys, Associate Director Education & Outreach - mahumph@ilstu.edu;
Dan Goebel, Associate Director Research - djgoebe@ilstu.edu
Financial Management Association
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| Photo: Sandy Spreadbury, FMA President Amber Armand, FMA Vice President Ben Stickley, and graduate Lee Lagioia at Allstate headquarters. |
A group of 22 students and advisors from ISU's Financial Management Association (FMA) chapter made a recent visit to the corporate headquarters of Allstate Insurance in Northbrook. The trip offered the chance for Finance majors to interact with industry professionals who discussed their jobs, the financial environment, and opportunities they see for future graduates. Each presenter included information on his or her own schooling and career background, and provided extremely helpful advice on the job search process. Three Illinois State Finance graduates were among the presenters: Lee LaGioia '05, Lanre Kalejaiye '02, and Sandy Spreadbury '06. Kathy Powell, a senior human resource representative from Allstate's Protection Finance Division, hosted the group.
Finance graduate Amanda Donnan '07 met with the group during lunch in the company cafeteria. Other speakers were Dave St. Claire and Eric Hayes of Allstate's recruiting team for ISU, Andy Anaya, Joe Dirig, Tom Minneci, Kelly Murphy, and Mark Weller.
Students participating in the trip were Amber Armand, Ashley Barber, Joe Barker, Danielle Becker, Chris Denly, Matthew Flynn, Nathan Galbreath, Collin Geninatti, Tracy Hedrick, Jillian Kats, Tonyeli Kpomegbe-Amoa, Mafwala Didier Mpembele, Lindy Olson, Brad Phillips, LeAnn Spivey, Ben Stickley, Kyle Thomas, Heidi Traple, and Brooke Zehr. The faculty advisors were Linda Miles, Keldon Bauer, and Joe Trefzger.
Freshman Ashley Barber was very excited about the opportunity for early engagement with the company. "The field trip was very informative. I am glad I went because I have been struggling with finding a job I am interested in. Allstate employees did a good job of letting us know what career opportunities are available there."
