Started by the WSU Foundation in 2011 with $100,000, the Student Managed Investment Fund class with Professor Lawrence Schrenk allows students to research and present investment opportunities.
For the first time since it started, the fund has quadrupled to $400,000, closing in August with a value of $403,881 and a monthly return of 11.49%.
“While most college students talk about their exams and presentations, mine can say they helped manage a stock portfolio worth over $400,000,” Schrenk said.
Each Spring, students research companies, build valuation models, track performance of these real stocks and present their results to the WSU Foundation’s Finance Committee. The board then decides if they are willing to invest $15,000 to $20,000 in the stocks that were presented to them.
“It is a huge compliment to my students that, based upon their financial analysis, a board of seasoned investors is willing to invest $15,000 to $20,000 in their recommended equity position,” Schrenk said.
It’s a big dedication for students, Schrenk said, and he can see they take it seriously.
All trades are handled with real money so that students can gain real world experience and with many companies they have already had experience with as customers. Over the years, students have been able to manage a wide range of successful corporation stocks, such as Omnicell, Plug Power, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Corsair Gaming, Columbia Sportswear, and Take-Two Interactive Software.
“The entire class builds up to the final presentation to the board members and it’s a great opportunity for students to get experience giving presentations to decision-makers.” Benjamin Bowe, a student who participated in the finance class in Spring 2025.
The money earned from the program stays invested in the WSU Foundation to continue support the class, as well as scholarships and a new Finance 480 class — which allows students to follow the WSU’s portfolio stocks and give recommendations to buy, hold, sell, and improve.
“Overall, I thought I learned a bunch with FIN 422, and it allowed me to take a better look at what smaller stocks might rise and why I should invest in them.” student Justin Wohlers, who was also part of the finance class Spring 2025.
For more information, contact the WSU Foundation at 507-457-5020 or email wsufoundation@winona.edu.
