In the heart of New York City, where the stakes mirror the pace of global finance, a team of Barton School of Business students stood shoulder to shoulder with peers from some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions and finished at the top. By earning two first-place awards at the Global Asset Management Education (G.A.M.E.) Forum XV, Barton School students didn’t just compete. They proved the power of real-world learning on a national stage.

In a fitting moment during the Barton School’s centennial year, the team’s debut appearance at the competition marked more than a win. It established the program among the nation’s top student-managed investment funds and reflected the strength of the school’s applied learning approach.

The G.A.M.E. Forum is a premier event hosted by Quinnipiac University, bringing together more than 100 top universities from around the world, including Columbia University, Brown University and the University of Miami. At this year’s event, the Barton School’s Cummings Student Managed Investment Fund (CSMIF) delivered a standout performance across multiple portfolio categories, earning first place in two divisions.

“This achievement is a powerful reflection of what makes the Barton School distinct,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “Our students are not only learning finance. They are practicing it at the highest level. Experiences like this prepare them to enter the workforce with confidence, credibility and a competitive edge.”

The G.A.M.E. Forum is the largest student-run financial conference in the world, bringing together universities from across the globe to present portfolio strategies, defend investment decisions and engage with industry leaders. Over two days, students participated in keynote sessions on global markets, investment strategies and the future of finance, while also engaging in networking sessions and industry panels with professionals from across the field. Teams are evaluated on investment performance, analytical rigor, communication and their ability to respond to judges in real time.

Representing Wichita State University were Simon Deaver (finance, May 2026), Jude Arnold (finance, May 2028), Amish Harmeshkumar Patel (IT & MIS, May 2026), Miles Williams (finance, May 2028) and Jose Garcia (finance, May 2026). Their work reflected months of preparation, collaboration and disciplined portfolio management by the entire CSMIF team.

Behind that performance is a broader structure designed to mirror the dynamics of a professional investment firm. Led by President Ellie Stringer (marketing/economics, 2027) and Vice President Coen Key (finance/economics, 2028), the team coordinated investment strategy, operations and member engagement across the fund. Team leads across asset allocation, stock selection, fund selection and operations guided research, portfolio strategy and member engagement, while additional student leaders supported areas including marketing, recruitment and fund operations, reinforcing a fully integrated, student-led investment structure.

“Our students rose to the occasion in every aspect of the competition,” said Jenn Lopez, program director of CSMIF. “This was truly a full-team effort. From the students presenting in New York to the leadership and members supporting behind the scenes, everyone played a role in this outcome. To see their portfolio perform on this stage, against that level of competition, says everything about what this program develops.”

That preparation is further strengthened by direct industry mentorship. The team’s success was guided by industry advisor Paul Attwater, whose expertise brought real-world perspective to the students’ investment approach.

“When we launched the Cummings Student Managed Investment Fund, our goal was to build something innovative in both structure and student experience,” Attwater said. “This performance validates those early decisions and reflects the support behind the program.” 

CSMIF is a cornerstone of the Barton School’s applied learning model, made possible through the support of alumni Erin and Kyle Cummings and WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement (WSUFAE) whose combined investment established the fund and created hands-on opportunities for students to manage real capital. Students actively manage that capital through a structured, team-based approach spanning asset allocation, stock selection and fund selection. The experience mirrors the expectations of professional investment firms, requiring students to integrate research, strategy and decision-making in real time. Student leaders extend that experience beyond the classroom by managing teams, guiding investment decisions and maintaining accountability across the fund.

In New York, their experience extended beyond competition at G.A.M.E. Forum, with sessions ranging from investment banking and asset allocation to emerging topics like artificial intelligence in finance and the future of financial markets. Students also immersed themselves in the financial capital of the world, meeting with industry professionals and visiting influential institutions.

A highlight of the trip included connecting with Wichita State alumnus Justin Condreay, managing director and head of equity capital markets at Academy Securities. Condreay, who began his career as a U.S. Marine and went on to build experience across Bank of America and the Royal Bank of Canada, shared insights on career development, the structure of investment banking and the importance of adaptability and resilience in high-performance environments. Drawing from his own journey from Wichita State to Wall Street, Condreay emphasized the value of continuous development, strong relationships and taking advantage of opportunities early in one’s career.

Students also toured the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, including its gold vault which contains more than $1 trillion in gold bars. The visit helped students gain a deeper understanding of monetary policy, financial system stability and the global impact of U.S. financial institutions.

Engaging with finance professionals in New York reinforced for students that CSMIF’s work is preparing them for the industry.

“Our win showed me that I have an equal opportunity as everyone else to compete in the industry,” said Simon Deaver, asset allocation team lead. “What people at the competition didn’t see were the countless hours our team put into preparing, practicing and refining our presentation. It’s hard work that sets us apart.”

“I could not be more proud of this team,” said Ellie Stringer, CSMIF president. “These wins are sure-fire proof that our methods don’t just work, but they produce results. Applying investment knowledge outside the classroom is what we strive to do, and this past week, we’ve done it.”

The experience underscores the Barton School’s commitment to bridging classroom learning with real-world application, an approach designed to prepare students for immediate success in their careers.

Coen Key, vice president of CSMIF, added, “Competing at this level reinforced the strength of our program. We’re not just learning concepts. We’re applying them in real time and seeing the results on a national stage.”

“This is what applied learning looks like at its best,” Genin said. “Our students are gaining real experience, making real decisions and proving they can compete at the highest level. As we enter our next century, this is exactly the kind of opportunity that defines the Barton School and prepares our students to lead in the future of business.”

In a centennial year defined by reflection and momentum, the Barton School is continuing to invest in experiences that shape the next generation of business leaders. Following this achievement, CSMIF will continue expanding its national presence through additional competitions, research initiatives and expanded engagement with industry partners.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our students and the work they’ve put into building this program,” Attwater said. “The excitement isn’t just about what they accomplished in New York. It’s about where this program is headed and the impact it will continue to have.”

Upcoming initiatives include participation at a national conference in Miami this April, the development of student-led research and annual reports, continued engagement with the WSU Foundation investment committee and plans to host a future conference, further expanding the program’s reach and impact.

For students considering a future in business, experiences like these highlight what sets the Barton School apart: an education grounded in real-world application, industry connection and the opportunity to perform on a national stage.

As the Barton School enters its second century, opportunities like CSMIF continue to define the student experience and prepare graduates to lead, compete and succeed from day one. Prospective students can explore programs and applied learning opportunities at https://www.wichita.edu/barton.