Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36S P R I N G 2 0 1 7 13 They are really confident because they realize they are part of a real experience. They are not talking about some formula they learned in a textbook. They are talking about a real experience. This is something that I cannot provide them in years of classroom instruction. — Dr. Aktas available for student teams that have managed an actual portfolio during a full calendar year. Winning teams are recognized at the Awards & Networking Dinner on the last night. Teams also showcase their work in a table-top display at the Networking Reception on the last night. In addition to the experience of participating in the Quinnipiac Global Asset Management Education (G.A.M.E.) Forum, VSIG members expanded their understanding of the market by visiting Ladenburg and Thalmann Asset Management, a member of the NYSE for 135 years, the sixth oldest member on record and a long-time supporter of the VSIG. Conversations led by Phillip Blancato, chief executive officer and president of Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management and chairman of the Ladenburg Investment Policy Committee, and Jaime Desmond, chief operating officer of Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, have ensured that VSIG students are fluent in the language of the market and able to apply principles learned in class to make real time market decisions. Blancato and Desmond continue to be invested in the students participating in the VSIG experience through the Financial Trading Center, offering their time, advice, and assistance to students developing their portfolio presentations. Five years is a short time to see such a grand return on the investment in the creation of the Valdosta State Investment Group. The original portfolio of $50,000 has grown to $120,000 due to new donations to the portfolio by advisory board members and due to the successful management by the VSIG students. Programmatic opportunities like this one are in every discipline across Valdosta State University’s campus. At VSU, faculty and staff understand the value of programmatic learning opportunities and the benefit it provides to the students. Students utilizing these opportunities are more prepared, having gained invaluable experience that can be transferred to their future career post-graduation. 2016 Quinnipiac Global Asset Management Education in New York S P R I N G 2 0 1 7 13