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The University of Arkansas at Monticello received a $40,000 grant from the Walton Family Foundation, at the recommendation of Lukas Walton, to further advance the UAM Investment Club.

The Walton Family Foundation grant will be used to train UAM Investment Club members to develop sustainable financial investment practices. This grant will allow the club to invite inspiring guest speakers, facilitate student travel for experiential learning, support regular meetings and enhance student membership through comprehensive training and education. It will enrich the UAM Investment Club’s activities and empower student members with valuable knowledge and skills that will directly impact their future personal and professional growth.

Becky Phillips, associate professor of accounting at UAM and faculty co-advisor of the UAM Investment Club, stated, “We are so thankful to the Walton Family Foundation for this generous grant to the university and the opportunities it will provide to our students. This grant gives the UAM Investment Club the resources needed to educate students on the importance of investing and put them in contact with professionals who can offer them life-changing opportunities.”

Dr. Shanna Knowles, assistant professor of business at UAM and faculty co-advisor of the UAM Investment Club, explained the value of the club, stating, “The UAM Investment Club offers a unique opportunity for any student to gain hands-on experience and develop essential skills that will benefit them in their personal investment strategy. The club uniquely has a goal to teach students how they can work in the financial industry, including, but not limited to, traditional finance jobs and roles. The club allows students to meet in a supportive environment where they can learn from industry experts and build networks that will serve them well beyond their time in school. It’s an investment in their future, and we’re excited to welcome new members from across campus.”

The club is open to students from all majors at UAM. “We want to make an appeal to all students at UAM, not just business majors, to join the UAM Investment Club and learn the skill of personal investing. This is knowledge that is so important for them to take into their adult lives,” Dr. Knowles said.

“On behalf of the University of Arkansas at Monticello, I extend our gratitude to Mr. Walton and the Walton Family Foundation for this generous grant to the UAM Investment Club,” Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM, said. “This support is not just an investment in our club but a commitment to fostering the financial literacy and future success of our students. At UAM, we pride ourselves on nurturing students both in their academic pursuits and their personal growth, recognizing that understanding personal investment is a crucial part of their journey. I also want to thank Dr. Knowles and Ms. Phillips for their dedication to making this opportunity available to all UAM students.”

The club holds meetings regularly throughout the semester. Some upcoming activities for student members include The Stock Market Game competition, trips to Bentonville, AR, and Washington, D.C., and an investment consortium on UAM’s Monticello campus featuring guest speakers.

The club’s first meeting this semester will be on Tuesday, September 10, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Babin Business Center, Room 307, on UAM’s Monticello campus. Lunch will be provided, and there will be a drawing for two $50 gift cards.

For more information about the UAM Investment Club, contact Dr. Knowles at knowless@uamont.edu or 870-460-1311.