Friends of Finance

In 1985, three UTulsa finance alumni, Bob Prince, Bruce Currie and Bob Harrison, and two UTulsa faculty members, Mark Collins and Roger Bey met to discuss how support could be gained for the finance department and how the department could better serve UTulsa’s finance alumni and the Tulsa business community. From that meeting the concept of a Friends of Finance (FOF) organization was born. Today, FOF is an incredibly strong support group for UTulsa’s School of Finance and Operations Management, supports a Student Investment Fund (SIF) that has grown to more than $9 million under student management and has an executive speaker series of nationally prominent business and public leaders. More than 200 students have received approximately $1 million in scholarships from the SIF.

Friends of Finance is an organization of business professionals, alumni and supporters of the Collins College of Business. Members share a passion for business – particularly finance and operations management – and are committed to helping UTulsa gain national prominence in these areas. In addition, Friends of Finance provides a forum where business professionals, many of them UTulsa alumni, can network and share perspectives.

The Executive Speaker series brings leading executives to the UTulsa campus to share their knowledge and explore important business issues. Recent speakers include Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, Bank One; Doug McMillon, President and CEO, Walmart Stores, Inc.; Diana Ferguson, SVP, Sara Lee Corporation; Chad Zamarin, President and CEO, Williams; Lee Scott, President and CEO, Walmart Stores, Inc.; Kenneth Lewis, President, Bank of America.

Mission and Goals

Mission

The mission of Friends of Finance is to help gain national prominence for The University of Tulsa Finance and Operations Management Department’s educational programs, students, alumni, and faculty.

Goals

• Develop open and effective communication channels and regular interaction between the business and academic communities.
• Promote the professional development of our members.
• Continue to develop outstanding curricula for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Enhance student placement into business and finance careers.
• Attract nationally distinguished MS in Finance and MBA students, undergraduates, and faculty.
• Promote awareness of the accomplishments and activities of TU business alumni.

Officers and Directors

The officers and directors are committed to achieving the mission of Friends of Finance, serving the membership, and making Friends of Finance the best organization possible.

Officers

Directors