Key Takeaways
- • St. John's University students presented investment recommendations on December 10, 2025, for three endowment funds: undergraduate and graduate Student-Managed Investment Funds (SMIFs) and the three-year-old Student-Managed Blockchain Fund (SMBF), with recommendations reviewed and voted on by a faculty, administrator, and alumni committee.
- • Student teams recommended stakes in Oracle (technology) and increased positions in Nexstar Media Group (telecommunications), alongside cryptocurrency positions in Avalanche, Chainlink, Polkadot, and Polygon, which received approval.
- • St. John's University operates the 15th most lucrative student-managed fund nationally, with combined assets exceeding $13 million, competing among more than 500 colleges and universities that sponsor similar programs across the country.
- • The program provides students with hands-on, real-world investment experience while generating returns that directly support the university's endowment fund, which finances student scholarships and financial aid.
Summary
Students at St. John's University's Peter J. Tobin College of Business showcased their investment acumen on December 10, 2025, presenting semester-long research and recommendations to faculty, administrators, and alumni overseeing the institution's student-managed endowment funds. The presentations focused on three investment vehicles: the undergraduate and graduate Student-Managed Investment Funds (SMIFs) and the Student-Managed Blockchain Fund (SMBF), a three-year-old initiative that reflects the growing institutional acceptance of digital asset portfolios within educational settings.
The student teams delivered comprehensive, self-created investment reports analyzing both traditional equities and cryptocurrencies. Specific recommendations included a position in Oracle, the technology sector heavyweight, and an increased stake in Nexstar Media Group, a telecommunications company. On the digital asset side, student analysts recommended positions in Avalanche, Chainlink, Polkadot, and Polygon—all of which received committee approval. These recommendations underscore students' exposure to both legacy equities and emerging blockchain-based assets within a structured, mentored environment.
St. John's University's student-managed funds represent a significant institutional commitment to experiential finance education. With combined assets exceeding $13 million, the university ranks as the 15th most lucrative student-managed fund program in the nation, according to The Center for Investment Research. This scale positions St. John's among more than 500 colleges and universities nationwide that sponsor similar programs, reflecting broader adoption of practical investment management training across higher education.
For participating students, the program delivers measurable educational and philanthropic value. Senior finance major Andrew Gibowski noted that applying classroom-learned equity valuation techniques while contributing to the university's endowment "is a great program" that bridges theoretical knowledge with real capital deployment. Peer Ava Weege described the experience as "the most valuable class I have taken at Tobin," emphasizing the hands-on nature of portfolio management, research, and committee-level decision-making. The endowment returns generated through these student-managed vehicles directly support institutional objectives, funding scholarships and financial aid across the student body.
The student teams delivered comprehensive, self-created investment reports analyzing both traditional equities and cryptocurrencies. Specific recommendations included a position in Oracle, the technology sector heavyweight, and an increased stake in Nexstar Media Group, a telecommunications company. On the digital asset side, student analysts recommended positions in Avalanche, Chainlink, Polkadot, and Polygon—all of which received committee approval. These recommendations underscore students' exposure to both legacy equities and emerging blockchain-based assets within a structured, mentored environment.
St. John's University's student-managed funds represent a significant institutional commitment to experiential finance education. With combined assets exceeding $13 million, the university ranks as the 15th most lucrative student-managed fund program in the nation, according to The Center for Investment Research. This scale positions St. John's among more than 500 colleges and universities nationwide that sponsor similar programs, reflecting broader adoption of practical investment management training across higher education.
For participating students, the program delivers measurable educational and philanthropic value. Senior finance major Andrew Gibowski noted that applying classroom-learned equity valuation techniques while contributing to the university's endowment "is a great program" that bridges theoretical knowledge with real capital deployment. Peer Ava Weege described the experience as "the most valuable class I have taken at Tobin," emphasizing the hands-on nature of portfolio management, research, and committee-level decision-making. The endowment returns generated through these student-managed vehicles directly support institutional objectives, funding scholarships and financial aid across the student body.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.