One year after launching the Student-Managed Investment Fund, Farmingdale State College (FSC) is seeing strong returns, not just in financial performance, but also in student development and alumni engagement. The fund is managed through the Business Internship course, an upper- division experience that immerses students in applied finance under the guidance of faculty and industry professionals.
Established by a generous gift from alumnus Murray Pasternack, Class of 1960, and his wife, Judy, the fund also helped create a state-of- the-art trading room on campus. The space features 16 Bloomberg Terminals, real-time stock ticker displays, and access to premier financial publications, bringing Wall Street tools to FSC.
Each semester, eight students are selected through a competitive application process to participate in the course, co-taught by Garrison Song, PhD, CFA, assistant professor of finance, and Meeghan Rogers, PhD, assistant professor of business management.
Students manage a $500,000 portfolio, executing trades through Charles Schwab and using Bloomberg data to monitor trends, analyze performance, and adjust strategies in real time.
“The first cohort began in fall 2024 and immediately moved beyond textbook theory,” said Song. “They applied what they learned in class to real decision-making in portfolio construction, security selection, and risk management.”
“It’s what students would see at a major equity firm, and they rise to the challenge,” added Rogers.
In addition to tracking stock performance, students conducted in-depth analysis on how political developments influence market behavior. This spring, they studied the impact of policy shifts such as tariff announcements and economic uncertainty on investor sentiment and portfolio valuation. By examining the connection between market volatility and political events, students gained a deeper understanding of how perception, not just fundamentals, can drive investment decisions.
“One of the biggest takeaways was recognizing how perception, and even political rumors, can affect stock prices,” said Rogers. “The students didn’t panic; they saw it as a buying opportunity.”
The course emphasized research, economic awareness, and strategic thinking. Rather than chasing trends, students built their strategies on data and analysis, learning that smart investing is rooted in insight, not instinct.
Students presented their findings and performance outcomes to alumni and faculty during two spring semester events.
“This experience isn’t just about trading,” said Rogers. “It’s about building confidence, presenting to professionals, and preparing for careers in finance.” That preparation is already paying off. Two students from the inaugural class secured internships at private equity firms, and others reported increased interest in finance-related career paths.
Presentations engaged donors, faculty, and industry professionals, including a mentor from Charles Schwab who helped onboard students and provided real-time guidance throughout the semester.
The Murray Pasternack ’60 Finance and Trading Room serves as a hub for applied learning, networking, and professional preparation. As the program evolves, it remains a powerful example of how FSC provides real-world experiences that build student confidence and shape their careers.
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