First United Bank Contributes $25,000 to Student Fund

February 22, 2011

Paul Bass, president of First United Bank of Shawnee, recently presented a check for $25,000 to OBU to finance OBU's Student Managed Fund. Bass presented the check to OBU President David W. Whitlock and Dr. David Houghton, dean of OBU's Paul Dickinson School of Business, on Thursday, Feb. 17, during halftime of the Bison Basketball game.

Paul Bass (center), president of First United Bank of Shawnee, presents a check for $25,000 to Dr. David W. Whitlock (right), president of OBU, and Dr. David Houghton, dean of OBU's School of Business, during halftime of the Bison Basketball game Thursday, Feb. 17. The contribution finances OBU's Student Managed Fund.

"A select group of OBU students will manage a stock portfolio on behalf of the University," said Dr. Dan Reeder, Albert J.Geiger Professor of Finance at OBU. "Students in the class will gain substantial experience dealing with real world problems that professional fund managers face."

As the name of the fund implies, the Student Managed Fund is entirely student managed, and students selected to manage the fund are responsible for all investment decisions, Reeder said. Student members establish the stock selection criteria, research prospective investments, generate reports and make buy/sell decisions.

"The grant provided by First United Bank will enable OBU students to move beyond theory and into practice," Houghton said. "Making real investments raises the stakes for the students and will give them an experience unmatched at many institutions. The School of Business is extremely grateful for the generous gift provided by First United Bank."

"This fund will provide students with an innovative experiential learning opportunity and OBU with a long-term method of attracting high quality students," Reeder said.