For more information, contact Richard Doty, (937) 775-3232.

January 13, 2005

Simulated “Wall Street” trading center announced at WSU’s Raj Soin College of Business

College officials today announced a fund-raising effort for a new MTC Technologies Trading Center that will replicate an actual stock market trading environment.

The estimated $600,000 project has received a leadership gift of $250,000 from MTC Technologies and a substantial matching grant from Rajesh K. Soin.

The new center, which will function as a classroom and laboratory facility, will combine cutting-edge technology with a real-world education.

“Thanks to the vision and exemplary financial support of Raj Soin and MTC Technologies, we are in the planning stage for this exciting new facility,” said Berkwood Farmer, Ph.D, dean of the college. “This new center will enhance the valuable real-world learning environment we offer to our students across all disciplines in the college, as well as the training and development services we offer for businesses in the region.”

In addition, a gift of 30 ClientPro All-in-One 414 PCs and 30 17-inch flat panel monitors, valued at approximately $100,000, has been donated to the center from MPC Computers, a leading PC manufacturer. “MPC is pleased to be able to support Wright State’s MTC Technologies Trading Center,” said Adam Lerner, MPC’s executive vice president of sales and marketing. “We value our partnership with WSU, and we are excited that students will be able to take advantage of MPC’s award-winning computer technology in such a productive and exciting setting,” he said.

The center will feature real-time coverage of financial markets from CNBC, CNN, Bloomberg and other financial global information sources—plus software for simulated trading and portfolio management.

Specialized courses, continuing education and executive training programs will be established to provide participants with an unprecedented opportunity to understand the art and science of financial risk management. The facility also will help students understand the myriad of economic, regulatory and technology factors that affect markets.

Farmer estimates that 600 students will use the facility annually to greatly increase their ability to understand the integration of technology and risk management for portfolio management firms, financial institutions and corporations.

The new center will further enhance the already-successful Raider Asset Management program, which provides students with the opportunity to manage a portion of the investment portfolio for Wright State University’s Foundation while learning about securities investing. This student-managed portfolio, which has consistently outperformed the Standard & Poor’s 500 index, will be increased to over $600,000.

Fall Ainina, Ph.D., a professor of finance recently named chair of the finance and financial services department, will direct the center. The center is expected to open next fall, and will be located in Rike Hall.

For more details, contact Colleen Lampton Brill, director of development for the Raj Soin College of Business, at colleen.lampton@wright.edu or (937) 775-2852.