The Richard J. Wehle School of Business invested in a new venture this fall, which is expected to result in large gains for the college.  The course, otherwise known as The Golden Griffin Fund (GGF), is an investment-management class for undergraduate finance majors that operates as a student-run, real-money investment fund.  It is specifically designed to educate students about the inner workings of the capital markets, while providing them with real-world learning experiences in investment management.

“The Golden Griffin Fund will help finance students bridge the gap between the classroom and the real investment world,” explains Nelson D. Civello, visiting professor of finance and professional adviser to the GGF. 

Established with an initial investment of $100,000 from the Canisius College Endowment, The Golden Griffin Fund requires students to research, create and manage portfolio holdings (stocks); analyze and recommend companies to add to the portfolio; and to grow the fund through the solicitation of new investors. 

“Students will be expected to analyze different business models and market opportunities, apply various valuation techniques, and understand fundamental industry drivers,” adds Civello.

Fall 2003 students are currently focused on conducting corporate research, development of an investment strategy and potential stock selections.  The spring 2004 semester will concentrate on fundamental stock research that will ultimately compose and shape the portfolio.  Once established, full-time faculty advisors and professional mentors will guide future students to take over the fund and make important management decisions to grow its value.   

“The success of The Golden Griffin Fund and its members will attract student interest at Canisius, as well as potential business students from other areas who may be in search of a unique educational environment,” says Dr. Antone F. Alber, dean for the School of Business.  “In turn, clients of the fund will have the chance to achieve investment returns based on students’ best efforts, build lasting ties to the college, and contribute to the development of a new, well-educated talent for the Western New York investment community.”

The GGF operates out of a newly-created trading room known as the Financial Markets Lab in Old Main Room 111.  The lab is furnished with various multimedia equipment including eight PC workstations; cable-access television with a data projection screen; and a Bloomberg terminal, which enables students to receive up-to-the-minute information on the world financial markets. 

Canisius College is the only higher education institution in Western New York to have the Bloomberg technology and offer this type of undergraduate course.