A team from Dordt University reached the CFA Institute Research Challenge semi-finals, ranking among the top 17 teams in North and South America. The team's dedication and expertise were evident in that they outperformed over 1,180 teams globally.
A Dordt University team of finance majors outperformed over 1,180 other teams from around the world to reach the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge semi-finals, placing them among the top 17 teams in North and South America.
This achievement highlights the exceptional skills and dedication of the five Dordt finance majors who participated.
“More than 6,500 students competed globally, and Dordt’s five students were some of the last students standing,” says Dr. Jesse Veenstra, professor of business administration.
In the sub-regionals, the team competed against groups from the Midwestern United States. They were able to beat out the competition, including:
Dordt and University of Minnesota – Duluth were named champions of the sub-regionals.
The five students—Hunter Coyle, Taeden Van Beek, Daniel Draaistra, Joshua Rathjen, and Luke Rankin—may not have made it past the semi-finals round, but they represented Dordt extremely well while competing against large, highly respected colleges and universities. “To compete against, and beat, the other schools demonstrates the skill and dedication of our students, which I can’t be more proud of,” says Veenstra.
Veenstra admires how much time and effort the Dordt team put into the competition. “This was not part of a class at Dordt; the students didn’t receive course credit or a scholarship in exchange for doing this,” he says. “It has been a completely voluntary effort from each of them, and they have easily spent 200 hours working on it.”
The competition helped the students better understand the detailed process of stock analysis in the industry. “They explored and used techniques such as Monte Carlo simulations, synthetic peer analysis, DuPont analysis, relative valuations, sensitivity analysis, and risk assessments at a much deeper level than we do in class,” he says. “This experience will give them a leg up in job interviews, internships, and early careers.”
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
As part of the Ringerwole Organ Recital Series, Dordt University will host a recital by Dutch organist Willem van Twillert. Known for his award-winning compositions and exceptional musicianship, van Twillert will showcase his talent on Saturday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the B.J. Haan Auditorium.
With 99.4% of graduates either employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation, the class of 2023 graduates have secured positions at prestigious organizations worldwide, and the average starting salary has increased compared to last year.
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