The Finance and Economics degree programs offer upper-level Finance students an exciting opportunity to actively manage a real investment fund, the Intrieri Family Student Managed Fund, or IFSMF. The IFSMF began in 2012 with a $100,000 gift from one of our most dedicated Alumni Fellows, Vincent Intrieri ’84, and his wife, Joanne. The fund has grown to over $780,000 due to gains in the portfolio and additional donations received from Mr. Intrieri’s family, faculty members, and other donors.
Since its creation, the IFSMF has been a resounding success since it has regularly outperformed its benchmark. Most importantly, the IFSMF provides students with an invaluable learning experience by introducing students to the concepts of portfolio management and security analysis in a real-world environment. Only 16 percent of business programs in the U.S. and Canada offer such an opportunity.
Joining the IFSMF team gives Behrend students an advantage in job interviews as well as in their career by providing:
- Hands-on experience with real money
- Knowledge of security selection, investing, and portfolio management
- The context for the Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam study material
- Job preparation for a career in investments and portfolio management
- Competitive advantage for résumés and job interviews
- Experience producing professional documents such as quarterly reports and research notes
Students manage the IFSMF within the Portfolio Analysis and Management class (FIN 461) under the leadership of industry sector “lead analysts”(FIN 462). Associate analysts (FIN 362) are 1st and 2nd-year students who get involved early in their academic careers. The classes are taught by Dr. Tim Krause, associate professor of finance and director of the IFSMF.
Support for Vision 2023 – The Black School’s Vision Statement
The Intrieri Family Student Managed Fund directly addresses one of these priorities: “To design and implement high-impact innovative learning experiences for undergraduate and graduate students. With the learning by doing theme as a motivator, we will investigate and launch a center that enables learning innovations and entrepreneurship (service learning, industry projects, student incubator models). We will also examine ways to use and improve successful programs, including the Intrieri Family Student Managed Fund. We will enhance the technological infrastructure to support learning objectives and flexible delivery options.” The Student Managed Fund provides a fascinating opportunity for students to “learn by doing” as they manage a real-time investment portfolio.
For more information about your involvement with the Fund, please contact the IFSMF director, Dr. Krause tak25@psu.edu.