Student Competitions

Western Michigan University finance students participate in numerous competitions each year.

2016 competition teams

Chartered Financial Analysts Institute Research Challenge:

  • Noelle Sykora, MBA finance concentration:"This was a great experience to help me connect classroom theory with practice in the finance industry."
  • Shao Qin Gan, Master of Science in Accountancy: "This competition was a wonderful outlet to apply the principles I learned in the Student Managed Investment Fund course."
  • Eric Giddings, Master of Science in Accountancy: "The CFAI Research Challenge emphasized the importance of challenging the assumptions of a model."

Event information

Association for Corporate Growth (ACG®) Cup Western Michigan

  • Intercollegiate competition for MBA and undergraduate students.
  • Receive real-world exposure to the Mergers and Acquisitions Industry in the West Michigan region.
  • Gain an understanding of the diverse industries served in West Michigan.
  • Connect with potential employers.
  • Engage with ACG Young Professionals.
  • Cash Prizes

Additional information can be found at the ACG® Western Michigan website. Read about WMU MBA student winners of the 2012 regional corporate growth competition.

Interested MBA students are encouraged to contact Dr. David Burnie. Undergraduate students are encouraged to contact Dr. Onur Arugaslan.

Chartered Financial Analysts Institute Research Challenge

  • Teams research a publicly traded company and prepare a report before presenting their work to a panel of financial experts.
  • Each team works with a CFA charterholder.
  • Learn from seasoned professionals and gain real-world experience.
  • Connect with potential employers.
  • Cash Prizes

Explore the Research Challenge. For more information contact Dr. Craig Peterson.

ENGAGE® International Investment Education Symposium

  • Provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis
  • Student teams research and analyze a publicly traded company and write a research report
  • Defend findings to a panel of industry experts.

Watch WMU student stock pitches from the 2015 Engage Symposium. For more information, contact Dr. Matthew Ross.

The Foundation for Financial Service Professionals Industry Issue Competition

  • Teams of two or three undergraduate and/or graduate students submit research that examines a critical issue of high relevance to the financial services profession.
  • Gain an understanding how professionals make a living within their career path in the financial services industry.
  • Connect with local practitioners.
  • FSP Scholarship awards.

Explore the FSP Industry Issue Competition. 2012 WMU Industry Issue Competion Winners. For more information, contact Dr. Wenling Lu.

The Risk Management Association (rma®) Commercial Credit Analysis Competition

  • Teams of two or three undergraduate students analyze a commercial loan request.
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of banking and credit for local banking professionals.
  • Balance risk management with meeting customer needs.
  • Gain Knowledge via RMA University and through an assigned local banking mentor.
  • Cash Prizes.

For more information, contact Dr. Wenling Lu.