Students seek OK to manage $1 million Wyoming state investment fund

Charles Christensen, who is majoring in finance at the University of Wyoming, hopes someday to start his own financial planning firm. Until then, he may have to settle for managing $1 million of Wyoming taxpayers’ money.

At least that’s the idea that Christensen and five other UW students proposed last week to the State Loan and Investment Board in Cheyenne.

Christensen, who attended high school in Cody, was one of two spokesmen for the student group during a pitch to Gov. Dave Freudenthal and four other Wyoming elected officials who make up the board.

The students are looking for real-world portfolio management experience in making large, diversified investments with real money, Christensen said.

Similar programs have been implemented by other schools in the region, and the UW group has impressed state officials.

"It was phenomenal," state auditor Max Maxfield said of the students’ presentation. "They were so poised and professional in their approach. It made you proud they were University of Wyoming students."

By RUFFIN PREVOST
Gazette Wyoming Bureau

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/12/22/build/wyoming/30-state-fund.inc