Global Asset Management Education (GAME) Forum
New York, NY
The success of Michigan Tech students participating in the Applied Portfolio Management Program (APMP) is rampant and sustained. Having won several titles over the program’s life (as recently as last year), Michigan Tech is a notable force among high-profile peer institutions. Our students are at it again this year as four of them attended the Global Asset Management Education (GAME) Forum in New York City on March 31–April 2. Zach Bedell, Dallas Bond, Matt Mateer, and Kendra Rasner participated in the GAME Forum’s portfolio competition, where they were judged on the risk-adjusted returns of a real $1 million+ portfolio. Though the students were not able to claim the top spot, each member realized the value of the experience. Visiting some of the successful APMP alumni in New York City, touring the financial district, and hearing from world class speakers, including a number of high-profile financial analysts and financial firm CEOs and CFOs, topped off a solid run at another title.
Distributive Educational Clubs of America (DECA) State Career Development Conference
Detroit, MI
The point at which a student has an opportunity to take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to real-world problems is one of the most important culminations of earning a Michigan Tech degree. Eleven students from Michigan Tech’s Distributive Educational Clubs of America (DECA) group had the opportunity to do just that as they competed in the State Career Development Conference in Detroit, MI, over spring break. With just 30 to 60 minutes to prepare, they were given case studies, business simulations, and events that required leadership, management, critical thinking and problem solving skills to complete. Graded based on specific performance indicators, Cassandra Barry placed first in the accounting event, and Ken Arndt placed third in the corporate finance event. Nine students qualified for the International Career Development Conference held in Nashville, TN. This was the fourth time that a Michigan Tech student has placed first in an DECA event.
West Michigan Chapter of the Project Management Institute
Grand Rapids, MI
Having placed at least one team in the top four for each of the past five years, Michigan Tech’s Advanced Project Management course has enjoyed great success in the West Michigan Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI) competition held in Grand Rapids, MI, every April. This year’s project was focused on improving the health of children ages 5–18 in Michigan, a cause everyone can agree is worthwhile. Karan Gujarathi, Syed Awn Muhammad Jafri, Kwang Suthijindawong, Erika Tenizbaeva, and Cody Waffle of “Michigan Tech Team B” placed third out of 13 teams. Under the mentorship of Shawn Rathbun, a Michigan Tech alumnus, and assisted by Dr. Dana Johnson, Professor of Supply Chain and Engineering Management, they watched their hard work literally pay off as the team was awarded $2,000 for third place.
Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
