About the Fund
In 2001, Henderson State University Board of Trustees approved the allocation of a $250,000 endowment to be managed by students in a new type of finance class. Ross Whipple, the generous benefactor of the fund, saw an opportunity to help better the educational opportunieies of all future ¡°Reddie¡± students. Mr. Whipple, current Chairman and CEO of Summit Bank Corp, is a Henderson State graduate and member of the HSU School of Business Hall of Fame.
Benefits of 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 fosteringrelationships 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, to include meetings with major New York investment firms, former class alumni and a visit to 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.