UA Walton College Students Win Investment Competition at Global Summit

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two seniors in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, won an investment competition at the New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business Summit on Global Business on April 7-9 in New York City.

The students, Joe Edelstein and Laura Katherine Tamas, competed in the Summit’s first annual investment competition, which involved a presentation on a particular company together with a “buy” or “sell” recommendation. The two defeated Northeastern University, Boston, in the finals. Other schools in the competition included Boston College, University of South Carolina, University of Kansas, University of Texas, Villanova University and University of Oregon.

Both Edelstein and Tamas are members of the Walton College portfolio management class.

“This was a great honor for the University of Arkansas and the Walton College, especially since they were competing against such top schools,” said John Norwood, associate professor of business law and director of the Honors Program.

In addition, Jennifer Casey, Heather Hughes, Stephanie Solomon and Brandy Wells attended the conference, accompanied by Norwood.

“These fourth-year Walton Scholars are among the highest academic achievers in the college. This program offered them new expertise and a broader understanding of the business world,” added Norwood.

More than 100 students from such business schools as Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Emory University, London School of Economics, MIT, University of Texas, University of Florida, and University of Illinois attended the summit.

Keynote speakers included: Tim Koller of McKinsey & Company, an international management advisory firm; Peter Derby, managing executive for operations and management of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and Kaleil Tuzman, president and managing partner of Recognition Group, America's first and only Hispanic-owned corporate restructuring firm and investment bank. Sessions covered corporate governance and the ethical challenges for the business leaders of tomorrow; globalization and the role of the World Trade Organization; the sports industry and its impact on local economies; and consumer product marketing across international borders.

The students also toured the corporate offices of Ernst & Young, NBC, and AIG.