Robert Korajczyk  Photo © Evanston Photographic

New asset management program a Kellogg priority

Prof. Robert Korajczyk leads finance initiative designed to offer students stronger analytic tools; alumni support key for success.

The Kellogg School has established the Asset Management Program, an initiative that requires alumni support. Led by the Kellogg Finance Department, this innovation will meet an important student need to strengthen their analytical abilities while maintaining and enhancing the reputation of Kellogg among leading peer schools.

The specialized program will launch this spring, "providing Kellogg students with a unique educational experience that combines financial theory, exposure to cutting-edge practitioners and experience managing an actual portfolio," said Professor Robert Korajczyk, who is leading the initiative.

Financial service firms hire some 20 percent of all Kellogg School graduates; with this new program, students now will benefit from an enhanced curriculum providing practical experience in portfolio management while increasing their exposure to industry professionals. To advance this initiative, Kellogg is seeking targeted alumni involvement from those in the financial services community with experience in asset management. Involvement opportunities range from financial assistance to advisory board participation. Kellogg alumni and friends will significantly influence the program's success. In fact, alumni are already responding to the Kellogg School's request for partnership in this endeavor.

"I've long recognized that my Kellogg education contributed significantly to my reaching certain goals in my financial services career –– which has spanned investment banking to asset management," said Malcolm Jones '82. "I now have the opportunity to give something back to Kellogg. When I understood Professor Korajczyk's model for the asset management program and got caught up in his enthusiasm, I knew I wanted to be a part of this initiative."

The yearlong, for-credit practicum allows students to manage a sizable portfolio under the guidance of a Finance professor. The course has limited enrollment and requires students to register for prescribed courses throughout the practicum. Only the most motivated students will gain entry to this program. As summer arrives and internships take students off campus to pursue professional assignments, representative faculty members and students will monitor fund performance.

The school has identified $8 million in permanent funding needs to create the program and strengthen the visibility and reputation of its finance offerings. Of this total, $3 million supports a diversified equity and hedge fund portfolio; $5 million targets a diversified fixed income portfolio.

"I feel fortunate and indebted to Kellogg," said Robin Yoshimura '94. "I hope to make a positive contribution to the school by directing both my effort and capital to the Asset Management Program."

Alumni may contribute their support as a one-time gift, a pledge or with an annual subscription that presents a variety of naming opportunities. Kellogg will recognize founding partners and these partners will have a consistent pool of intellectual talent available each year. The return on this investment is rich for all involved.

"I'm pleased not only to make a financial contribution now to assist in launching the Asset Management Program at Kellogg," said Jones, "but also to help raise additional funds in the future to enhance the program. This will be a great Kellogg program and all of us associated with it will be justly proud." — Carrie Swearingen