Students learn to invest
Josh Kurtz
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: News
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The event's panelists included Lsesa Bathgate, a Financial Advisor and Financial Planning Specialist with The Walker Hall Group, Citi-Smith Barney, Diana Sandberg, a professor of finance at Drexel, and Phil Corradino, assistant vice president and manager of the Center City Commerce Bank.
"A lot of college kids don't know what to do with investments and retirement savings," Emily Martorano, a junior majoring in chemical engineering and the president-elect of Phi Sigma Pi, said.
Sarah Fick, a junior majoring in civil engineering and the vice president-elect of Phi Sigma Pi, helped organize the event and said its uniqueness lay in the fact that students organized it.
According to Fick, the student involvement aspect meant that this event would target students' financial concerns more than general financial workshops.
"Not knowing a lot about investing finances, it gave me a good starting place," Lindsay Brescia, a senior majoring in emergency medical services and a member of Phi Sigma Pi, said.
During the first part of the event, Bathgate talked to students about stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Among other points, her presentation emphasized the importance of starting to plan and invest for retirement at a young age.
Students also had the opportunity to ask the panelists about topics ranging from credit cards and credit scores to retirement planning.
"I don't typically speak to college students," Bathgate said. "I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was delighted with the turnout. I think it speaks to the need to have more events like this."
The idea for the event originally started at a résumé workshop, according to Fick. A representative from Vanguard noticed many résumés mentioning Phi Sigma Pi; he inquired about this and offered to help run an event on finances with the fraternity. The representative from Vanguard was not able to be on the "Got Money?" panel, but his idea helped lead to the formation of the event, Fick said.
The "Got Money" event was one of the first events that Phi Sigma Pi held open to the public, Martorano said.
According to Fick, there are currently 44 members of the Drexel chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, and the organization is in its 11th year of existence.
According to Marisa McStravick, a sophomore majoring in global journalism and member of Phi Sigma Pi, students interested in joining the fraternity will have an opportunity at the beginning of spring term.
Citi-Smith Barney and the Pennoni Honors College and LeBow College of Business, co-sponsored the event; Martorano said Phi Sigma Pi hopes to continue to reach out to the Honors College and College of Business for different events in the future.
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