Fourteen students from the Master of Finance program at Penn State Great Valley, along with Management Division Head Simon Pak, visited the New York Financial District and rang the closing bell for the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, October 10.
The opportunity to spend time on the hallowed grounds of the New York Stock Exchange was more than enough to motivate most class members to make the trek up to New York in the middle of a workday.
"Being a part of ringing the closing bell was a tremendous honor and experience. It was the opportunity of a lifetime," said Tim Biechler, gas supply analyst at UGI Utilities, Inc. in Reading. "To know that I stood on the same balcony as so many successful and influential people was very rewarding."
Pam Nave, a Master of Finance student from West Chester, said she was so excited she bought a new suit for the occasion.
It was an honor to be standing on the platform overlooking the exchange, representing Penn State Great Valley alongside Dr. Pak and (Graduate Enrollment Coordinator) JoAnn Kelly. "They have worked so hard to make this program a success, and I am quite proud to be part of the very first cohort."
Pak said he was excited Penn State Great Valley students got to experience some of the inner workings of Wall Street.
"It is a rare opportunity for any school to ring the opening or closing bell. This is mostly reserved for CEOs of companies, or well-known politicians or dignitaries, and so I am very happy that our students were chosen to do this," he said. The group's visit to the New York Financial District also included a stop at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Biechler, of Wyomissing, had high praise for Penn State Great Valley's Master of Finance degree program.
"The Master of Finance program has been a great experience. The faculty and staff are exceptional, and I love all of my classmates," said Biechler. "The program has been very intensive, but at the same time, very rewarding. We are the program's first cohort and based on my experiences, I feel that this program will be very successful for years to come."
Because the program is cohort based, students really get to know each other and learn from each other. Among other things, these Master of Finance students held a picnic this past summer to enjoy each other’s company outside of the classroom, and meet their families.
The Master of Finance program at Penn State Great Valley is about a year old, and includes 18 students, some of whom are high-ranking corporate executives. Students attend courses on Friday evenings and Saturdays, and complete the program in 15 months. The second cohort of students will enter the program in January. For information call 610-648-3248, or click here.
