Three Alumni Help Students and Retirees See Green
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From left: Anthony Schock, Travis King, and Brian Rathbun
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As graduates of the Raj Soin College of Business, it’s not a stretch to say that “Raider green and gold” run through the veins of Travis King (’93 accounting), Anthony Schock (’96 financial services), and Brian Rathbun (’91 financial services). Partnering together to form the financial planning group, KSR Advisory Group with UBS Financial Services, Inc. they not only help their clients plan successful financial strategies. They also work to help a scholarship at their alma mater see green as well.
The three donate their expertise and time to teach the popular Financial Strategies for Successful Retirement Seminar. Proceeds from registration fees go to support the Daniel J. Kauffman Scholarship, named in memory of the late professor who founded WSU’s Department of Financial Services. Since the class was first offered in the fall of 2001, over $5,000 has been given to the fund.
“We feel strongly about supporting the college’s mission to meet the needs of the community,” says King. “Besides opening the doors of the university to the community, it also helps the college’s business programs attract the best and brightest to the financial services field. We feel good about that.”
The three came up with the idea for the class not long after they went into partnership in 1998, when, according to King, “we had more time than money.” But even then, they felt strongly about giving back to the university where they gained the knowledge and confidence to launch their own practice in the high-stakes world of financial planning.
“Although their contributions have certainly benefited students financially, it’s their time and energy that is their greatest gift,” says Robert Sweeney, director of WSU’s Kettering Center for Continuing Education, who, according to Schock, has provided vital administrative and technical support since they first approached him with the idea of offering the class to the public.
“I thought it was a great idea from the start,” adds Sweeney. “It’s a fitting legacy to Professor Kauffman, who created a program that has played a part in launching their own careers.”
Each course comprises evening classes held once a week for four weeks--fall, winter, and spring. It covers financial basics such as retirement income, investments, risk management, and estate planning. Participants also receive a personal financial goal analysis.
“The information presented was very clear and organized,” says Charles Taylor, professor and chair of philosophy at Wright State. “After taking the class. I now have more understanding about the basic principles of investing and other options. As a result, I made some significant changes in my own financial arrangements.”
King says the class meshes well with their corporate philosophy to educate as many individuals as possible about the importance of financial planning. “People tend to spend more time planning vacations then retirement. But retirement is the longest vacation of your life. The class is a chance for participants to get organized financially. At the end, we want them to have the confidence to put in place a process for making financial decisions, to understand not only what to do, but why.”
The course typically draws from 16-20 students that include a range of ages and professions, especially business owners.
The three alumni, who formed the KSR Advisory Group, work together under the umbrella of UBS Financial Services, Inc. a leading global financial services firm. King serves as a senior vice president/investments and was recently awarded the professional designation of Certified Investment Management Analyst, (CIMA). Both Schock and Rathbun hold the title of Investment Associates for UBS.
“We adopted the name KSR Advisory group to send a message that we take our roles very serious in terms of providing advisory services in the financial field,” adds King. “Stocks are not our business.”
In fact, says Rathbun, “It’s the relationships that our team develops with people that we value, helping them figure out their goals and see them achieve those goals. That’s probably the most satisfying thing we do.”
The WSU connection extends to the home front as well, where all three are married to RSCOB graduates. Patsy King holds a degree in financial services; Marcia Evers Schock has both a bachelor’s in international studies and a master’s in social and applied economics; and Sandra Rathbun, CPA, earned a B.S.B. in accounting and finance.
“Yes, we have many ties to Wright State,” says Schock. “Perhaps that’s why we love supporting the university in any way we can.”
Who: KSR Advisory Group, the Raj Soin College of Business
What: Financial Strategies for Successful Retirement
When: Thursday Session: April 21,28 May 5, 12 6:30pm- 8:45pm
Wednesday Session: May 4,11,18,25 6:30pm – 8:45pm
Where: Room #145 Russ, WSU Campus
Contact: Tammy Wall (937)-775-1100
Kettering Center for Continuing Education
140 E. Monument
Dayton, OH 45402-1267
Visa, Mastercard, & Checks accepted $69.00 pre-paid registration, $79.00 at the door
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