UWF College of Business students experience Wall Street firsthand
Eleven students from the University of West Florida College of Business recently visited New York to get an inside glimpse at the world of finance. During the trip, the students met with representatives from Morgan Stanley and toured the Federal Reserve and the New York Stock Exchange to learn about the daily ins and outs of the investment and finance market.
Dr. Kevin Krieger, assistant professor of finance, Dr. Tim O’Keefe, interim dean of the College, and Dr. Ed Ranelli, dean emeritus, organized the trip to offer undergraduate finance majors and MBA students the opportunity to see how the finance industry really works.
“We wanted to put a real face on what we discuss every day in class,” Krieger said. “Rather than just talking about it, these students were able to meet people working in the industry and see how it breathes, moves and operates from the inside.”
Senior Matt Dannheisser said the trip was a unique experience, as well as an exceptional opportunity.
“It was fascinating to have been lectured by an active trader on the floor of the world’s largest stock exchange during the midst of trading activity,” Dannheisser said. “We were also excited when we entered the extremely well guarded gold vault of the Federal Reserve, and were able to hold a 27 lb. golden brick that was worth more than $500,000. This trip was made possible by dedicated UWF faculty and staff who recognize that, while their teaching may begin in the classroom, it is greatly enhanced by real-world opportunities.”
Senior Albert Davis said he achieved a lifelong dream by participating in the trip.
“I have had a lifelong fascination with stocks and the stock market, and I chose to major in accounting and finance to learn all I could about investing and how to value publicly traded companies,” he said. “This was an experience I’ll never forget. The experience, friendships and knowledge I have gained at UWF has completely changed my life, and I couldn’t think of a better way for my education at UWF to culminate than in a trip to Wall Street.”
The trip was sponsored by the UWF College of Business and Student Government Association.
For additional information about the UWF College of Business, visit uwf.edu/cob.
