Independent Banker - November 2018 - 77

" The Student Investment Fund trip to
New York was one of the most memorable
moments in my college career. "
-David Perrizo, 2017 University of the Pacific graduate
program that teaches students
how to invest and give
back using a real-life investment
fund.
The Student Investment
Fund (SIF), established in
2007 with a $1 million gift
from Bank of Stockton and
the Eberhardt family, is a
rare opportunity for students
to gain real-world experience
in the U.S. stock market. Out
of 9,000 business schools
worldwide, only 200 operate
this type of fund.
Inspiration for the SIF program
came from Eberhardt's
own experience working at
a New York City bank in the
early 1960s. His supervisors
took him to the various Wall
Street brokerage houses and
investment fund management
companies to get indepth,
hands-on experience
of the world of investing.
Just over a decade ago, Eberhardt, who was
then president of Bank of Stockton, decided to
take this concept one step further by designing
the program at University of the Pacific.
" When I was young, I only wish someone had
let me have the chance to invest money and had a
class in it, " Eberhardt says. " There are classes that
may teach you about all kinds of investments, but
they don't teach you about how to invest. "
As a part of the SIF class, a select group of
undergraduate and MBA students manage the
investment portfolio, which has tripled in valPhoto:
Jaslyn Gilbert
ue since it was created. They research, evaluate,
write reports and make choices about where and
how to invest the $3 million fund's money. They
use Bloomberg terminals to conduct equity and
market research, and to track the performance of
the portfolio.
Rohan Dixit, a 2012 graduate, " absolutely " credits
his ability to get hired to the skills he gained in
the SIF program. " I can say with 100 percent certainty
that the skills will also help me in any future
project or career I may pursue, " Dixit says.
Field trip
Quick stat
$1
million
Total funds
the Student
Investment Fund
has given back
to University of
the Pacific since
2007
Each year, a group of 12 SIF students travels to
New York City to participate in the Quinnipiac
Global Asset Management Education (G.A.M.E.)
Forum with other college students, faculty and
finance professionals from around the world. The
trip is a chance to interact with industry leaders
and learn best practices in investment management
in the heart of the U.S. financial sector.
During the trip, SIF participants also visit
Nasdaq, the Museum of American Finance,
Bloomberg headquarters, the New York Stock
Exchange and other iconic New York City sites. In
2017, the students celebrated SIF's 10-year anniversary
at the Cornell Club-New York alumni
house with Pacific alumni.
" The Student Investment Fund trip to New
York was one of the most memorable moments
in my college career, " says David Perrizo, a 2017
graduate. " It was amazing to see all of the alumni
support that we received at the alumni event
and how willing they are to help Pacific students
like me succeed in their professional careers
post-graduation. "
Eberhardt says it's gratifying to see students
get a leg up in their careers by participating in
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Independent Banker - November 2018

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