Gary P. Brinson Distinguished Lecture Series
jayden.bowkerHosted by the Department of Finance and Management Science, WSU Campus, Pullman.
Hosted by the Department of Finance and Management Science, WSU Campus, Pullman.
David Darst, managing director and chief investment strategist of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, will present “Asset Allocation and Investment Strategy,” during the free, public Gary P. Brinson Distinguished Lecture on finance. Prior to the presentation, a reception will be held from 3:15-4:15 in the Carson College of Business Dean’s Office, Todd 570. Sponsored by the Carson College of Business, the annual lecture series brings in a leading expert in the finance and economics industry to network with students and present a stimulating, insightful public lecture.
Photo by WSU Photo Services
Ten years ago, when finance professor George Jiang was looking for the next step in his academic career, the potential benefits of becoming the WSU Gary P. Brinson Endowed Chair in Investment Management were too enticing to pass up.
Endowed professorships and chairs are one of the highest honors a faculty member can achieve—a highly recognized accolade that signals a colleague is at the top of his or her field.
Jiang, an accomplished scholar and researcher of financial markets and information efficiency, knew the endowed chair would enable him to expand his research agenda, do more with doctoral students than ever before, and collaborate with elite faculty.
As a professor who’s helped hundreds of students prepare for finance careers, Jiang fit the vision global investing authority and philanthropist Gary Brinson (’68 MBA) had in mind when he established the chair in 1993. The endowment recognizes a faculty member who is an exemplary finance scholar, a student resource, a program and faculty leader, and a liaison to investment management community and service groups.
Jiang left his faculty position at the University of Arizona and joined the Carson College’s Department of Finance and Management Science. His wife, Linda, also joined the WSU accounting department at that time. “We loved the small town feel of the Pullman community,” says Jiang. “At WSU, there is a sense of shared identity and collaboration like none other.”
The endowment extends the finance department’s ability to offer unique learning opportunities to both graduate and undergraduate students. For example, Jiang has used its funds to purchase several specialized research databases doctoral students need for their research—an exclusive benefit few universities offer because of the expense. The options trading data, which typically costs about $20,000, has supported several finance doctoral candidates’ research.
“OptionMetrics data was very helpful to me as a PhD student. I used it in every paper I wrote, including my dissertation. I would not have been able to do the research I did without it,” says Cuyler Strong (’20 Fin.), a financial economist fellow in the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s economic and risk analysis division. “I have continued to use the data and am one of the commission’s three OptionMetrics subject matter experts—any employee can reach out to me if they need help with the dataset.”
Finance juniors and seniors have the opportunity to participate in Cougs on Wall Street—a three-day international forum in New York featuring discussion panels, workshops, and keynote speakers. “Students enjoy it very much, and many get jobs as a result of the networking and professional development opportunities at the event,” Jiang says.
The endowment also supports annual distinguished lectures, and funds were used recently to partially support Bloomberg terminals within the Tom and Linda Nihoul Bloomberg Financial Laboratory. The terminals give students and faculty access to news, data, and other tools that are the “gold standard” within the industry. Finance majors can earn various Bloomberg certificates and gain research and analysis proficiencies—all of which will give them a competitive advantage in the job market, says Jiang.
“One of the most impactful benefits of the chair is helping our undergraduates interested in research,” says Jiang. “Because of the expanded opportunities I’ve had as the Brinson Chair, I’ve been able to expose students to research concepts that might guide their interest in finance careers. Our research helps investors and firms adapt to global transitions in financial markets and industry as we navigate through the pandemic toward a new economic environment.”
Looking back over the last decade, David Whidbee, chair of the Finance and Management Science Department, says Jiang’s leadership as the Endowed Brinson Chair has elevated the Carson College’s overall finance research profile and improved its standing among peer schools. Though it was established 30 years ago, the chair ties directly to the college’s current goal of being the leading source of research-based insights and critical thinking about business.
Because of Brinson’s generosity, the quality, relevance, and distinction of the finance program will endure long into the future. In 2004, he made an additional gift of securities valued at more than half a million dollars to further support the endowed chair.
“By endowing a professorship or chair, you make it possible to attract and retain faculty, one of the college’s most important resources, and help the college become the top choice for business education in the Pacific Northwest,” says Whidbee.
To support an endowed chair or professorship, or for more information, please contact ccb.development@wsu.edu.
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Ken Butterfield transfers his wide knowledge to students and shows a strong desire to help them apply classroom material to real life. His respect of students, quality of instruction, and approachability distinguish him among faculty.
Butterfield also received the Outstanding Faculty Service Award recognizing his care about the success of department members and dedication to provide the resources and support each needs. He listens to the students’ needs and provides guidance for their success. An example of his commitment to service includes revising the management and entrepreneurship programs in a single year.
Darrel Muehling delivers interesting lectures that are a creative mix of online materials. Online MBA students recognize his informative, relatable, and humorous teaching style that invites students to contribute.
Velle Kolde is a role model to students. His wealth of knowledge and experience along with his entertaining style, advance students’ learning.
Scott Connors is the lead author on papers submitted to and published in leading journals and gave three presentations at the Association for Consumer Research conference and one at the Society for Consumer Psychology.
Hyounae Min has an impressive research record. During her doctoral program, she was lead author on five papers and second author on a sixth paper. Two of her publications are in top (A) business journals, a rare accomplishment for graduate students.
Ismail Karabas is a doctoral student who captures students’ attention and engages them in the courses he teaches. Students consistently evaluate him very highly and recognize him for being approachable, available, and open to questions.
Benyawarat Nithithanatchinnapat is a teaching assistant who proactively shares best practices and mentors students struggling with the technical aspects of the courses she teaches. She often volunteers during business plan competitions and assists faculty even when she is not assigned to them.
Sue McMurray demonstrates high commitment to quality, knowledge of the industry, and willingness to go the extra mile to best represent the Carson College of Business. In the last year, she expanded the college’s award winning alumni publication from a yearly print piece to a quarterly online publication, in addition to publishing many press releases and editing over 20 media articles for publication.
Marie Mayes facilitates collaborative efforts with the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture in the realm of entrepreneurship. She manages the successful business plan competition; leads the CCB Frank Fellows, Boeing Scholars, and e-connect programs; increases networking with external constituents; and teaches entrepreneurship.
Florian Zach performs quality work in his area of innovative tourism and collaborates with faculty outside of HBM and with international colleagues. He tirelessly promotes HBM to regional community colleges, high schools, and industry leaders. He is an excellent teacher committed to students’ professional achievement.
Thomas Allison is a productive researcher and published several papers in top business journals. He also wrote a book chapter and presented his work at a variety of highly regarded academic conferences.
Jeff Joireman demonstrates exemplary teaching across all levels and receives very high teaching evaluations. He chaired several dissertation committees and served as a committee member on outside students’ projects, in addition to leading a study abroad program.
This award recognizes outstanding faculty performance in teaching, research, and service. Recipients include faculty from the following departments: