McKenzian Takes Part in Investment Fund Consortium with UT Martin

MARTIN — The UT Martin TVA Investment Challenge students attended and participated at the 2024 Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium (SMIFC) Conference on October 2-4 in Chicago.

While attending the SMIFC Conference, the students presented a poster that showcased the UTM Tennessee Valley Authority’s annual performance, holdings, investment allocation and investment philosophy.

Students interacted with competition judges and fielded questions from judges, other student-managed investment fund participants and industry professionals.

Students Toby Bolkcom, a senior finance major from Millington, and Kayla Potete, a Master of Business Administration student from Waynesboro, competed in a financial case analysis and gave introductory speeches for the conference speakers from Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. and Ariel Investments.

Other UTM students who attended or participated were Zach Crawford, a senior finance major from Dresden; Madison Everett, a senior finance major from Bolivar; Nathan Jones, a senior finance major from McKenzie; Archie Scott, a senior finance major from Harvest, Alabama; and Mackenzie Smith, a senior finance major from Covington.

Dr. Mahmoud Haddad, professor of finance, who advises the UTM TVA Investment Challenge program, moderated the question-and-answer session for the Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. speakers.

“Each semester, finance students can participate in the SMIFC conference,” Haddad said. “The main purpose of this consortium is to allow students to develop a leadership role in investment management and network with industry leaders, recruiters, scholarships, internships and employment.

“Participants are required to solve financial problems and enhance their financial education and research skills. Students compete in two distinct projects. The poster session allows SMIFC teams to showcase their SMIF performance. Each team is judged on their fund’s performance, visual presentation and engagement with judges. In the other project, teams analyze selected company financial performance using various data sources and financial tools.”

While in Chicago, students tour the Chicago Board of Trade, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and the city’s famous landmarks.