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From the "Ouachitonian": Dr. Chris Brune

January 01, 2020
Previously published in the 2017 Ouachitonian yearbook.

A 1994 alumnus and assistant professor of finance, Dr. Chris Brune had continually made an impact on students throughout his time serving on campus. After completing his undergraduate at Ouachita, Brune ventured to the University of Arkansas to pursue his masters in business administration. He later returned to achieve his Ph.D. in finance. Upon receiving his doctorate, Brune returned to Ouachita to teach in the Hickingbotham School of Business.

“In 2000, Dr. Eddie Ary was teaching an investments class and wanted to give students a way to manage money. He arranged for about eight thousand dollars as an initial contribution to be managed by the students in the class. So, each semester we would vote on the stock and modify the portfolio,” Brune said.

The Eddie and Phyllis Ary Student Investment Fund was born. The fund was a stock portfolio managed by a team of senior finance students in the Hickingbotham School of Business. Brune was named the faculty advisor in 2012 when Dr. Ary retired from teaching after 30 years of service to Ouachita.

Team members were selected through an application process during the spring semester before their senior year.

“First preference in selection is given to senior finance students, but there might be some senior business students we might consider from time to time as well,” Brune said, “Obviously, students should have an interest in stocks, wanting to manage a portfolio is key, strong GPA and an interest in some type of related career are some of the primary prerequisites. Then, we look for students that will be able to work together as part of a team and use analytical skills to evaluate the investments.”

By the time Ary retired in 2012, the portfolio reached a worth of about $25,000. At that time, the group split from the investments class to try and raise the value even more.

“We often talk about ways to take what you learn in the classroom and apply it in a real setting, and this is just a fantastic opportunity for that,” Brune said.

Beyond the classroom, students had the chance to be recognized on the work they did on the student-run portfolio. Each year an investment conference was held at the Harvard Business School.

“The trip is a conference for student-run investment funds, so there will be thousands of students from across the country with 40 something states represented. They’ll bring in top name speakers, money managers and other people in the financial world,” Brune said, “Most of the time, we are trying to get a better understanding of who will be there, who we will hear speak and a better feel for what we are participating in. The competition part is mainly to see where you stand in comparison to other student-run funds. There is also a reception for highlighting the students’ work.”

Because of faculty members like Brune, 11 students had the chance to engage in a $1 million equity portfolio, giving them real world responsibilities beyond the classroom.

“I believe the important takeaway from this is the educational component. But beyond that, I think that in a setting where you make recommendations to a group and you have to defend your position, argue for a particular stock, explain reasons you have concerns or arrive at a group consensus, that’s a valuable skill,” Brune said, “It’s the teamwork component that’s equally important.”

By Amber Easterly

Photo by Andy Henderson


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