Experiential / Reality-based Learning / February 1, 2015

Smith School Students Ring Bell to Open NYMEX

College Park, Md. - February 1, 2008 - A group of Robert H. Smith School of Business undergraduate and MBA students had the honor of ringing the bell to open trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange this morning. The students manage the Smith Schools two investment funds the Mayer Fundand the Lemma Senbet Fund and are in New York for an educational trip to meet with financial professionals.

The successful MBA-managed Mayer Fund, a $1.2 million portfolio, was established in 1993 with the goal of outpacing the S&P 500 stock index. Each year, the fund pays dividends to the Deans Office to benefit Smith School programs. Second-year full-time MBA students comprise the funds management team, two as portfolio managers and eight as equity analysts.

The $100,000 Lemma Senbet Fund, modeled on the Mayer Fund, is managed by 12 undergraduate finance majors. Named for an esteemed Smith finance professor for his contributions to the school, the Senbet Fund launched in 2006 as part of the schools Undergraduate Fellows Program. Like the Mayer Fund, Senbet Fund managers goal is to outperform the S&P 500. The undergraduate fund will also pay a dividend to the Deans Office each year.

The New York Mercantile Exchange, operated by NYMEX Holdings Inc., is the worlds largest physical commodity futures exchange and the preeminent trading forum for energy and precious metals. NYMEX Chairman Richard Schaeffer is an alumnus of the Smith School. 

About the Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research for the digital economy. One of 14 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, MS, PhD, and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in three continents including North America, Europe and Asia.

For more information please contact:  
Carrie Handwerker
301-405-5833

Media Contact

Greg Muraski
Media Relations Manager
301-405-5283  
301-892-0973 Mobile
gmuraski@umd.edu 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

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