Golden Griffin Fund Students Gain Real-World Finance Experience at NYSE and Top Asset Management Firms

Students in Canisius University’s Golden Griffin Fund (GGF) program received a firsthand look at the fast-paced world of finance during a recent trip to New York City, where they immersed themselves in the energy of investment management and capital markets.

The highlight of the trip came at the New York Stock Exchange, where 11 GGF students and faculty leaders from the Richard J. Wehle School of Business stepped onto the trading floor for the ringing of the iconic opening bell.

“Experiencing the opening bell from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange is a rare opportunity,” said JulieAnna Golebiewski, PhD, associate dean for the Wehle School of Business and associate professor of economics and finance. “Our students were able to see their classroom learning come to life, surrounded by the energy of real-time trading as brokers executed deals around them.”

The experience was made possible through the generosity and mentorship of alumnus Andrew D. W. Hill ’86, a longtime supporter of Canisius finance students and the Golden Griffin Fund program. “This was the first time I have been able to take the GGF students on a trip to a financial center in more than 10 years,” said Steven Gattuso, ‘87, MS '89, assistant professor of economics and finance and director of the Golden Griffin Fund. “The trip is crucial for completing the experiential learning that is the hallmark of the Golden Griffin Fund program.”

During the trip, students met with finance professionals and asset managers to learn about investment strategy, corporate culture and career opportunities within the industry. The experience complemented the hands-on work students already completed through the Golden Griffin Fund, a student-run investment portfolio valued at more than $900,000. 

“Students were able to see how what they are learning is practiced in a professional environment,” Gattuso said. “It opened them up to the many roles and career paths available in finance while helping them better understand the skills and experience needed to succeed.” 

Students also attended the Canisius alumni event in New York, where they connected with Golden Griffin Fund graduates and other alumni working in the finance industry.

Golebiewski noted that the trip reflected the Jesuit value of cura personalis (care for the whole person) by helping students grow academically, professionally and personally. “Our students gained firsthand exposure to a range of workplace cultures and developed a clearer understanding of how roles differ across the industry,” she said. “Experiences like this help prepare them for successful careers in finance.”

Gattuso said alumni support continues to play a vital role in the success of the program and the opportunities available to students. “Andy Hill’s generosity in making this experience possible is a testament to the impact of the Golden Griffin Fund program,” Gattuso said. “He understands how experiences like this can inspire students and help launch their careers in finance.”

The Golden Griffin Fund is an investment-management course for undergraduate finance majors and graduate students in Canisius MBA and MS in Finance programs. Students manage a real-money investment fund, conduct equity analysis and gain hands-on experience using Bloomberg terminals in the Nelson D. Civello ’67 Family Financial Markets Lab. They also compete in the CFA Institute Research Challenge, where Canisius has earned regional recognition.