College of the Ozarks approves first student managed investment fund

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — The College of the Ozarks Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the first student managed investment fund, the Gates of Opportunity Investment Fund, during their semi-annual meeting on April 25, 2023.

A group of 10 College of the Ozarks students researched student managed investment funds at other colleges and universities, created their own proposal throughout the spring semester, and then pitched the idea to the Board of Trustees. The Board passed a motion to officially establish the Gates of Opportunity Investment Fund, with the purpose of providing scholarships to future generations of students. It will also provide current students with opportunities to receive real world investing experience and to further the mission of the College.

Future students of the course will undergo an interview process before being admitted to the program, which will require extensive research of indexes and individual securities. Their class assignments will require them to pitch their investment research to an investment committee comprised of financial industry experts before making buy/sell decisions.

The overall goal of the Gates of Opportunity Investment Fund is to build a portfolio for future students that is run by current students. This student-driven experiential fund is designed to provide students with an enriching education through active participation in financial markets in order to become better equipped in the highly competitive world of finance.

“College of the Ozarks began as and remains an institution built upon the trust between benefactors and the campus community. The Gates of Opportunity Investment Fund speaks for the student population in declaring their interest in the College’s legacy,” said Gabe Rader, spring 2023 graduate. “We are committed to the Fund’s legacy by developing our talents as they pertain to investing and financial literacy. Just as those who came before us were committed to ensuring students receive the unique opportunity College of the Ozarks offers; we intend to do the same for future students through this fund’s earnings and the lessons it will teach.”

The 10 students and founders of the Gates of Opportunity Investment Fund are as follows: Hunter Blankenship, spring 2023 graduate, Taylor Childers, junior accounting major with a mathematics minor, Aaron Haberman, spring 2023 graduate, Jaylynn Hall, senior accounting major, Daniel Kitesho, spring 2023 graduate, Annabelle Kober, senior management major, Madison McPherson, senior accounting major, Gabe Rader, spring 2023 graduate, Andrew Smith, senior business management major, and Ivan Vuckovic, senior accounting major with minors in mathematics and finance.

Anyone interested in donating to the Gates of Opportunity Investment Fund, contact the Development Office by phone at 417-690-2209 or email at development@cofo.edu. You can also visit cofo.edu/donate.