Student members of the Torch Fund, an experiential learning program at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business, recently presented their portfolio results for the last fiscal year to an audience of about 70 people, including fellow students, several Torch Fund donors, the Torch Fund Advisory Board, faculty and invited guests.
Learning By Managing Investment Portfolios
The Torch Fund program consists of four student-managed investment portfolios — Carroll, Haslam, LaPorte and McClain, which were started with seed money from James and Natalie Haslam, Christopher and Quinita LaPorte, Larry and Vivian Carroll and G. Adam and Tabatha F. McClain. Through the program, Haslam undergraduate and graduate finance students gain meaningful experience managing securities on a live exchange, working in teams to grow their portfolios, outperform their benchmarks and win a portfolio returns competition.
Ryan Farley, Torch Fund director and assistant clinical professor of finance, said the students, who are selected through a competitive process, were thrilled to present their results to the donors and demonstrate what they learned by managing the portfolios.
“We are honored the Torch Fund donors, our advisory board and other esteemed alumni were here to support our students,” Farley said. “It’s such a unique opportunity for students to gain skills by managing real portfolios, and the impact is evident in their placement outcomes. We are deeply grateful for the support of the Haslams, LaPortes, Carrolls and McClains, whose generosity enables these critical learning activities.”
McClain Torch Fund team members; Diamond Clark is fourth from the right
Graduating senior Diamond Clark, who managed the McClain Torch Fund, thanked the donors, while noting that this was an exceptional opportunity not only to network with financial professionals, but also to receive real-time feedback and encouragement from an audience who have likely delivered similar presentations in their careers.
“I express my heartfelt gratitude to the McClain family, as well as the other Torch Fund donors, the Carrolls, the LaPortes and the Haslams, who generously support this program,” Clark said. “Their contributions make the program possible and serve as an investment in our own finance educations and our future careers. We are grateful to our donors and guests who attended the event.”
Developing Expertise in Financial Services
LaPorte Torch Fund team members; Caden Hughes is third from the left
Caden Hughes, another graduating senior whose LaPorte Torch Fund team won the returns competition, also thanked the LaPortes and other fund donors, adding that delivering the results live was an invaluable learning experience extending beyond practicing presentation skills.
“It required me to synthesize complex financial information and present it in a way that resonated with an audience, sharpening my communication and analytical abilities,” he explained. “This experience is parallel to real-world portfolio management, where clear and concise delivery is key to influencing stakeholders and other key decision-makers.”
The presentations are a culmination of students developing critical thinking skills, written and oral communication skills, technical skills and gaining knowledge of capital markets. Clark, a Dean’s List honoree, noted that these qualities will become imperative as the students transition into their careers.
“The value in making sensible and informed decisions becomes relevant when you start a career and become a professional,” she said. “We are challenged to bring the data we have, our critical thinking, our personal experiences and our expertise all together to defend our decisions. This has been a great experience, teaching me not only how to make informed decisions, but also how to articulate those decisions and stand by them.”
Haslam Torch Fund team members
As part of their career preparation, Torch Fund managers learn to use Bloomberg Terminals, software system that accesses Bloomberg data services. Haslam’s Masters Investment Learning Center boasts 20 Bloomberg Terminals, the most in the Southeastern Conference. Hughes, who was recently named a Haslam Finance Scholar of Distinction, called access to Bloomberg Terminals a significant advantage for Haslam students.
“A major benefit of joining the Torch Fund program is the early exposure to Bloomberg, the gold standard for the finance industry in terms of research,” Hughes said. “Having early experience with Bloomberg is essential for finance students who want to pursue investment careers because it mirrors what the industry wants.”
Experience at Haslam Setting the Stage for the Future
Carroll Torch Fund team members
After graduation, Hughes will join AllianceBernstein and Clark will join J.P. Morgan. Both credit their education and co-curricular activities at Haslam with enabling them to quickly land their positions at well-known organizations. Clark described developing a completely new skill as a key takeaway from the Torch Fund program.
“Portfolio management is a lofty goal for someone without any practical work experience, and someone who’s still learning the fundamentals of finance,” she said. “Haslam’s programs create a space for students to take on challenges and risks, make mistakes, learn from them and continuously improve. It teaches us the value of showing up for our ourselves and challenging the ideas of what we initially think we’re capable of.”
Hughes praised the program for going beyond teaching the technical aspects of finance.
“It also taught me invaluable soft skills like perseverance, collaboration and adaptability,” he said. “Navigating the challenges of co-managing a fund reinforced the importance of strategic thinking and resilience in the face of uncertainty. Working with a team of diverse perspectives sharpened my problem-solving abilities, preparing me for real-world situations that require multifaceted solutions.”
CONTACT:
—
Scott McNutt, business writer/publicist, rmcnutt4@utk.edu
