Ouachita finance students manage $6 million fund, attend Quinnipiac GAME Forum
April 15, 2026
- Allie BellStudent managers of Ouachita’s $6 million Ary Student Investment Fund had the opportunity to attend Quinnipiac University’s Global Asset Management Education Forum from March 19-20 in New York City.
The forum is recognized as the largest financial conference of its kind, where students hear from industry-leading keynote speakers and participate in portfolio competitions to gain experience and expertise. Over 1,200 students from 135colleges and universities attended, allowing students to learn new insights and perspectives while networking with finance students from across the country.
The Eddie and Phyllis Ary Student Investment Fund is a stock portfolio managed by a select team of senior finance students in the Hickingbotham School of Business. Beginning in 2000 with an $8,000 gift raised by Eddie Ary, associate professor emeritus of finance, Ouachita’s Board of Trustees has recognized the fund’s strong performance and regularly increased the amount students manage.
Members review current holdings and propose changes to the portfolio, analyzing 10 sectors of the economy and bringing recommendations to the team under the supervision of Dr. Chris Brune, professor of finance and George Young chair of business.
Tavin Wright, a senior finance major from Hot Springs, Arkansas, was one of 11 Ouachita students from the Ary Fund team that attended the 2026 GAME Forum.
“My favorite part was getting to talk to students from other schools about the structure of their funds,” Wright said. “These conversations made me realize how lucky I am to be a part of the Ary Fund where we have the autonomy to make our own decisions as a group.”
This year’s student managers cited the Ary Fund as a practical growth opportunity that will set them up for future success.
“The Ary Fund has prepared me for my future career goals by teaching me how to effectively work in a team,” Wright said. “Every week we vet and evaluate multiple stocks, so it’s important to know how to respectfully discuss and disagree with people while also being receptive to fair criticism.”
“It has provided me with real-world experience in financial research, decision recommendations and portfolio management,” Chloe Lane, a senior finance major from Little Rock, Arkansas, said. “Without the Ary Fund, I wouldn’t have the confidence to walk into job interviews and discuss my experience in the field.”
The Ary Fund provides students with real-world responsibility and experience, propelling them one step ahead as they step into their future careers in finance. To learn more about the Ary Fund or Ouachita's AACSB-accredited Hickingbotham School of Business, contact Dr. Chris Brune at [email protected] or visit obu.edu/business/aryfund.
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