The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has chosen Paul R Attwater III as the Erin and Kyle Cummings Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) industry faculty advisor. Attwater is a Senior Vice President and founder of his team at a major financial institution. As advisor, he will engage students participating in SMIF (recruitment will begin in Fall 2023 semester) to invest $250,000 in stocks, bonds and other securities. Proceeds from the portfolio will be reinvested into the program, with a percentage going to strengthening student experience and success initiatives further. 

“Paul is a brilliant financial mind and a wonderful mentor to students,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School. “His vision for engaging every student, as well as providing them with a structure that will allow them to have ownership and work together, is going to truly make this a unique student managed investment fund.”

Attwater has more than 38 years of experience in the financial services industry – focusing on comprehensive wealth management for high-net-worth families and small foundations. A native of Wichita, he graduated from Wichita Collegiate School, and then earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Kansas State University.

He is the founder of the Wichita Collegiate Mentor program which for over 30 years has matched high school seniors to mentors in their field of choice. In 1995, Attwater was recognized as the Outstanding Collegiate Alumni of the year for establishing the mentor program. He also created a partnership with Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas (YEK) teaching YEK graduates about saving, investing, and career opportunities in the financial services industry. He was presented with the Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas Pillar Award for Outstanding Board Member in 2000. Deeply rooted in his community, Attwater is a dedicated member of several local organizations, including the Wichita Rotary Club, Wichita Executives Association, Wichita Crime Commission, and the Grumpy Old Men. He is also a Lifetime member of the Kansas State Alumni Association, the Wichita State Alumni Association, Wichita Botanica, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the National Eagle Scout Association.

“I have always enjoyed giving back to the community, but my favorite activity is working with young people,” said Attwater. “I believe that learning is a lifelong journey. Much of what we learn comes through experiences or the people we meet over that lifetime. Risking your own money, or play money, doesn’t carry the same weight as investing other people’s money or in this case the money of the Wichita State Foundation. Experiential learning presents a powerful opportunity for these students.”