BALL STATE’S WALL STREET EXPERIENCEA VISIT TO THE A. UMIT

TAFTALI CENTER

Rathin S. RathinasamyProfessor of Finance

Department of FinanceBall State University

TAFTALI CENTER• Inaugurated in Fall of 2010

• The 1300 ft2 facility named after Ball State alumnus Mr. A. Umit Taftali

• State of the art technology-centered classroom providing immersive and hands-on experience on stock valuation & financial modeling

• http://www.risedisplay.com/clients/ball-state-university/

TAFTALI CENTER• Houses 36 workstations – state of the art

computers with dual monitors• 12 Bloomberg Terminals• 11 in classroom• 1 in WB 338 for faculty use• 2 RISE Stock Tickers displaying stock quotes• 4 television monitors with display of

financial information• 2 video walls of 2 television monitors each

INAUGURATION DAY

INAUGURATION DAY

TAFTALI CENTER• We have seen a boost in the number of

students pursuing Finance as a major since the Taftali Center came into being

• Finance is now the 2nd most popular major in Miller College of Business after Accounting

TAFTALI CENTER• We attribute this rise in enrollment to the

“Taftali Effect.”

The Taftali Center is a “must stop” for any tour of the Whitinger Building.

• Newcomers and visitors are invariably impressed by the technology and learning environment.

STUDENT MANAGED INVESTMENT FUND (SMIF)• Established August 2005

• Investment of $500,000

• 2012 Investment return 14.2% versus 16.0% S&P 500 Index return

• March 2013 quarterly investment return of 11.85% versus 10.54% S&P 500 Index return

• 7.8% investment return since inception

STUDENT MANAGED INVESTMENT FUND (SMIF)• Bloomberg Financial Data use integrated

into the SMIF stock analysis• Students use relevant Bloomberg economic,

industry, and company financial data and derive valuation models for stock selection

• Example: Microsoft Stock Valuation in Spring of 2013

STUDENT MANAGED INVESTMENT FUND (SMIF)• Eight students in the Fall 2012 section of Fin 410 met

with the BSU Foundation board, showcased SMIF Analysis, and answered several sharp questions from the board.

• They delivered a stellar performance.

• Ball State participated for the first time in the University of Dayton (Dayton, OH) Redefining Investment Strategy (RISE) Symposium & SMIF Competition in Spring 2013

• RISE is the most prestigious and long-running Student Managed Investment Fund conference in the USA

STUDENT MANAGED INVESTMENT FUND (SMIF)• In the SMIF competition, universities with

student-managed portfolios are invited to compete for awards based on their performance.

• This year, for the first time, Ball State participated in the RISE 13 SMIF competition.

• We placed SECOND in the Core Investment Style category.

• Core Style represents stocks that are in the middle of the range between value and growth.

BLOOMBERG CERTIFICATION• Bloomberg Certification has been introduced in 2

semester investment course sequences• Fin 310 – Investments 1• Fin 410 – Investments II• 50 – 70 students certified each semester since Fall

2012

• In Fin 310, students learn the Core Videos covering Getting Started, Bloomberg News, Market Monitors, and Fixed Income Essentials, etc.

• In Fin 410, students master Equity, Foreign Exchange, and Commodity Essentials and get Bloomberg Certification that provides students an edge in the job market.

OTHER BUSINESS • CFP-Board Certified Program – We are investigating the possibilities

• Logistics and Supply Chain Major in ISOM is Already in Place