About the Fund
In 2001, the Henderson State University Board of Trustees approved the allocation of a $250,000 endowment to be managed by School of Business students in a new type of finance class. Ross Whipple, CEO of Summit Bank, is the generous benefactor of the fund. He saw an opportunity to help better the educational opportunities of all future ¡°Reddie¡± students. Mr. Whipple is a graduate of Henderson State University and serves on the university¡¯s Board of Trustees. Mr. Whipple also serves on the School of Business Advisory Council, and is a mentor to students in the School of Business Mentorship Program. He was inducted into the Henderson Academy in 2001 and into the School of Business Hall of Fame in 2005.
Benefits of the RWF to students include: acquiring hands-on experience in finance; developing research, analytical, writing,presentation, and teamwork skills; developing responsibility and accountability for decisions; gaining attractiveness to employers --particularly in prestigious finance positions; and fostering relationships between students, faculty, alumni, and the business community. The interdisciplinary nature of the class enables each student to make unique and important contributions based upon their varied backgrounds. Overall, students learn how to become better investors.
Returns on the fund once it exceeds $1 million, will support the ongoing activities of the class, as well as finance internships, scholarships. A highlight of the course will be annual trips to New York City, including meetings with major New York investment firms, former class alumni, and visiting the New York Stock Exchange. While we are still growing, regional trips to Dallas/Ft. Worth and Chicago will be planned, and taken, subject to the raising of additional funds.