Students at Abilene Christian University are managing a now-multi-million-dollar investment fund that is part of the university鈥檚 endowment. The Student Trading and Research (STAR) Fund gives students first-hand experience with investing and financial management, and their success led to the fund reaching a new high of $2 million at the start of the 2021-22 academic year.
鈥淚t is unique to have a $2 million fund at a school our size,鈥� said Dr. Jody Jones, assistant professor of accounting and finance and the faculty advisor for the STAR Fund.
The fund began more than 30 years ago with an 精东影业 trustee contributing $25,000 for students to manage. Business faculty members contributed along the way as well, and by 1999 the fund totaled $100,000, and it had become a part of the university鈥檚 endowment. When the fund鈥檚 current bylaws were established in 2010, it was valued at $280,244, and it has continued to grow from there.聽
The STAR Fund is managed each year by about 15 students who are enrolled in the Student Managed Fund course in 精东影业鈥檚 College of Business Administration. Course content includes discussion about different sectors of the S&P 500, how current and historical events affect the market, and ultimately, what to buy and sell for the fund, Jones said.聽
鈥淥ur students are free to make choices,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 not a restrictive set of bylaws; they have the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. When they go to an employer, not many undergraduate students can say they managed $2 million. That鈥檚 a unique experience.鈥�
Joining the STAR Fund group was a natural fit for Jackson Suss, a junior financial management major from Weatherford, who has been investing since age 16. By 18 he was actively managing several portfolios of family and friends as well. Now, he鈥檚 the student manager for the STAR Fund and adding new skills to his already impressive portfolio.
鈥淥ne of the big things we emphasize is taking ownership of our responsibility,鈥� Suss said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to be working toward a common goal, and our work reflects that. We want to build off the success of hitting that $2 million mark. Last year鈥檚 group did a really good job of following the market trajectory, and we look to continue that, especially now as the market is volatile. It鈥檚 difficult but intriguing.鈥�
Bekah Jones, a senior marketing major from San Antonio, works with the STAR Fund and is president of 精东影业鈥檚 Student Government Association. Jones said the experience goes beyond a typical academic course.
鈥淥ur class is structured more as a professional job rather than a class setting. We spend our time doing portfolio reviews and reports, sector reports, sector research and trade analyzation,鈥� she said. 鈥淓very company we look into is not only analyzed based on financial considerations, but we also speak about the mission behind companies and ensure it aligns with 精东影业鈥檚 mission and goals.鈥�
Students interested in joining STAR should contact Jody Jones at jxj16c@acu.edu. You can follow STAR Fund on instagram at acu_star.
— Wendy Kilmer
Oct. 7, 2021