Starting with an endowment of $100,000 in 1991, the Student Investment Fund (SIF) has officially hit $3 million and maintains an average annual return of 11.4%.
The first six SIF presidents pose together, unaware that their fund would eventually be worth $3M.
Front row, from left: Steve Bainbridge, spring and fall '92; Gordon Cooper, fall '91. Back row, from left: Gary Hagestead, spring '93; Greg Krier, fall '93; Dan Flodin, spring '94; Charles Christy, fall '94.
The fund is currently managed and overseen by assistant professor Dr. Kim McGinnis and the SIF young alumni board consisting of former SIF students Bryan Sauer, Peter Freymueller, and Zach Norum. Since its inception, SIF has allocated more than $200,000 to student scholarships and student travel for finance competitions.
SIF student and CBSM teaching assistant, Mason Wolverton pitches a stock to the class in Spring 2024.
"To get to $3M is amazing growth—the fund has vastly outpaced the high inflation we've experienced these last couple of years and slightly outpaced the stock market. We are now at a point where we can fund even more life-changing opportunities for students, from scholarships to conference participation." - Dr. Kim McGinnis, SIF advisor and assistant professor
Dr. Kim McGinnis and student Dave Sauter discuss finance in the SIF lounge sponsored by Associated General Contractors, Northrim Bank and the Spirit of Alaska FCU.
Aside from the knowledge that SIF provides students, it also offers opportunities for immersion in the world of finance and the various aspects of investing. Over the years, SIF students have traveled to gain experience and network with industry leaders. Students have visited cities across the country, including San Francisco, Honolulu, Chicago, and their most recent excursion, New York City.
2016 SIF students Lacey Cruikshank, Hayden Nilson, Jamie Boyle, Stefan Hajdukovich, Tracy Reeves, and Alec Hajdukovich stand together in New York City.
Dr. Kim McGinnis (second from right) showcases the CFA Institute Research Challenge awards earned by students at the CFA Society Hawaii Conference in February 2017.
Students Nikolai Unruh, Jenifer Garcia, and Bryan Sauer pose in front of "The Bean" (officially titled “Cloud Gate”) during their visit to the 2021 Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
In Spring 2024, SIF attended the Global Asset Management Education Forum (GAME Forum) with keynote speakers including Lisa Abramowicz, co-host of “Bloomberg Surveillance” on Bloomberg Television, and Zach Buchwald, CEO of Russell Investments. The conference consisted of activities providing a comprehensive review of current risk and portfolio risk management.
"SIF is more than just an academic experience; it's the beginning of understanding the real-world implications of finance and investment strategies. It shaped my passion for helping others navigate personal finance and reinforced the value of teamwork in achieving financial goals." - Matteo Pecchia, SIF teaching assistant, UAF Hockey Player
Matteo Pecchia, SIF teaching assistant and UAF hockey player, kicks off the season with a winning mindset—on the ice and in finance.
SIF has experimented with other investment mediums, including the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) and angel investing. In 2023, CBSM launched an angel investing course that took students to the Alaska Angel Conference (AAC) in Anchorage. They got to watch up-and-coming startups pitch to investors and make a $5,000 investment with SIF funds to support AAC winner Zak Erving, CEO of Prismatext and ‘22 UAF Arctic Innovation Competition champion.
Student David Sauter and SIF Alumnus Huckleberry Hopper stand with CEO of Prismatext, Zak Erving and Linda Janes, gBETA Managing Director at the Alaska Angel Conference.
"I’ve been teaching this class long enough that I can now call up former students working in the industry to pick their brains on topics like commercial real estate lending, banking regulation, or hedging jet fuel distillates—they’ve become the experts. Many have achieved incredible success, and I’m proud to have played a part in their journey." - Dr. Kim McGinnis
SIF continues to evolve as a dynamic learning opportunity, adapting to the ever-changing world of finance. By embracing innovation, such as exploring angel investing and integrating real-world financial tools, SIF ensures that students gain unparalleled hands-on experience. With its focus on growth, both in the portfolio and in the opportunities it provides, SIF prepares students to excel in their future careers while fostering a deeper understanding of financial markets and investment strategies. As the fund looks to the future, its commitment to student success remains unwavering.
To learn how you can be involved in the Student Investment Fund, contact Kim McGinnis or schedule an appointment with an advisor.
Photos by UAF | This article was partially generated using Chat GPT to assist with content structuring.
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Story by Morrow Duszynski Photos by UAF