NC West Virginia News

A significant contribution from West Virginia University alumnus Fred Tattersall, class of 1970, is set to enhance real-world investment experiences for students at the John Chambers College of Business and Economics. Tattersall's $500,000 donation will sustain and advance the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), providing experiential learning opportunities for years to come.

Tattersall has been a longstanding supporter of WVU and was instrumental in the creation of SMIF nearly a decade ago. This initiative allows senior-year students to invest real money and manage capital markets, offering them practical experience in the financial sector.

In addition to fund management, students also engage in field trips to Wall Street in New York City and network with industry professionals. The program has seen considerable growth since its inception, with this latest investment by Tattersall enabling student analysts to continue preparing for their future careers by managing actual portfolios.

Milan Puskar Dean of the John Chambers College of Business and Economics Joshua Hall emphasized the importance of experiential education: “The Student Managed Investment Fund is a great example of the benefits of experiential education. We want Chambers College graduates to go beyond saying what they learned — we want them to tell employers what they did."

Tattersall's background includes notable work with 1607 Capital Partners. He believes that managing real funds provides invaluable experience that helps students thrive in the business world. "The SMIF students would learn about stock price volatility throughout the day of trading," he noted regarding his motivations for supporting SMIF from its inception.

Brant Hammer, SMIF Faculty Advisor and holder of the Tattersall Excellence in Financial Industry Chair, highlighted Tattersall’s impact on the program: “Fred Tattersall’s generous funding has been the cornerstone of the SMIF program’s success and growth since its inception in 2017."

Students involved in SMIF are compensated for their time, adding authenticity to their learning experience. This compensation ensures that no student must choose between gaining relevant career experience or meeting financial obligations.

Hammer praised Tattersall's contributions further: “By providing resources to pay student salaries, Fred has allowed us to attract top talent from within the student body.” The program boasts high job placement rates at leading financial institutions thanks largely to these efforts.

Tattersall expressed pride in seeing his investment yield positive outcomes: “As someone who spent more than 50 years in the investment world, I’m proud of the progress of SMIF.”

Beyond SMIF, Tattersall has supported three endowed faculty positions within Chambers College and funded several scholarships alongside other business initiatives. Hammer acknowledged this broader support: "Having this level of alumni support is transformative for both the program and the students."

This support extends beyond finances; it encompasses mentorship and networking opportunities that bridge academic settings with professional environments—a legacy intended to inspire future generations at WVU.