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March 9, 2006
[LSU
NEWS]
State Farm Insurance Companies made an $80,000 donation to LSU’s
E. J. Ourso College of Business, establishing a technology initiative that
supports and enhances the college’s undergraduate and graduate academic
programs and recruitment efforts.
Tim McFadden, State Farm vice president, said the company is proud to sponsor
the State Farm Foundation Financial Technology Initiative at LSU because it
has a vested interest in educating tomorrow’s workforce.
“State Farm Foundation’s core goal is to support educational programs
that measurably improve academic performance,” said McFadden. “Sponsoring
this initiative at LSU builds upon our existing partnerships to advance higher
education opportunities throughout Louisiana.”
The technology initiative has three main components. First, it provides
expanded support of the Wharton Research Data System (WRDS), a powerful teaching
and
research tool that provides both students and faculty access to market-based
business
research. Second, it enhances operations of the business college’s
Securities Markets Analysis Research and Trading (SMART) Lab, a simulated
interactive trading
floor that allows students to gain experience in securities analysis, research,
and trading. Finally, it establishes a State Farm Fellowship that provides
the resources for national recruitment of an MBA or MS student to LSU with
interest
in finance, insurance or risk management.
E. J. Ourso College Dean Robert T. Sumichrast said the partnership will
further educational opportunities for LSU students while also promoting
the university’s
national reputation for excellence.
“By enhancing the WRDS and SMART Lab programs, this initiative significantly
improves the usability of these remarkable tools for our students both college-
and campus-wide. Additionally, the fellowship will contribute to the national
visibility of the college’s programs and increase our efforts for a diverse
student body.”
The success of the program will be measured within each facet of the
donation, Sumichrast said. He expects to see an increase in the number
of courses
and independent research projects using WRDS, an increase in the
number of training
programs
offered in the SMART Lab, and an increase in the number of students
utilizing SMART Lab. The college will also track the number of students
recruited
and the number of applications received for the State Farm Fellowship.
The E. J. Ourso College strives to create innovative and challenging
educational experiences for its students. Through its faculty,
students and alumni,
the college provides a direct link to the region's business community
while actively
participating
in the global academic community.
For more information, visit www.bus.lsu.edu.
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