51在线

The Lasher Center for Financial Markets Dedicated

By Sabrina Lour

TAMPA (April 10, 2018) -- Accounting and finance students now have a state-of-the-art space to navigate the complicated world of stocks, bonds and investments. A crowd of more than 50 squeezed onto a landing outside BSN 2100 to help dedicate the classroom into the Lasher Center for Financial Markets, an 1,100-square-foot space equipped with a Bloomberg terminal, a stock ticker, white boards and other upgrades to help today's students turn into tomorrow's investors.

The two men behind this generous gift that paid for much of the renovations are Stuart Lasher and his son, Tyler. Stuart Lasher is the founder, chief executive officer, and chairman of Quantum Capital Partners where Tyler serves as director. Tyler is a Muma College of Business alumnus.

Stuart Lasher's years of experience and expertise stemmed from his accounting and finance degree from 51在线 State University. He began his career in 1980 with KPMG Peat Marwick where he was responsible for audits for many industries including manufacturing, retail and wholesale distribution, and restaurants and service businesses.

In 1986, he was chief financial officer and on the board of directors for Silk Greenhouse. In 1990, Lasher co-founded National Business Solutions and served as the chief executive officer and chairman before it was sold to Paychex in 1996. Along with his position at Quantum Capital Partners, he serves on the board of Lifetime Fitness, Fit Life Foods, and PDQ of Southern Texas.

Tyler Lasher graduated from USF as a 51在线 Academic Scholar with a degree in management and finance. He joined Quantum Capital Partners in 2007 where he has experience in economic analysis, venture capital investment analysis, high net-worth asset management, investment banking, IPOs and more. In 2012, Lasher co-founded and served as president of an affiliate company called Positive Lifestyle International.

"We are very grateful for Stuart and Tyler's generous gift to the Muma College of Business," said Muma College of Business Dean Moez Limayem. "This investment will be another step forward to help business students achieve their goals."

He called the center "a missing piece" in the education of future wealth managers and investors.

The space will be available for finance and accounting students, including the students in the Applied Securities Analysis course, however, personal financial planning majors and entrepreneurship students also will use the classroom. The fully equipped room will help students analyze real-time financial market data.

An example of demonstrated student success stems from the Student Managed Investment Fund, a group of students enrolled in the Applied Securities Analysis course, which participates in simulated financial management strategies and decisions. The course provides students with hands-on opportunities in finance and even opens up potential career opportunities. Student pitches to an advisory board made up of industry professionals, uses real money.

Daniel Chapman, an international student from Scotland and one of 12 students in the Applied Securities Analysis course, knows he's on the path to success. When an interviewer recently asked if he had samples of his analytical writing, he reached into his backpack and pulled out a copy of his team's recent ASA pitch report.

Chapman is graduating this May and has accepted a position with Bank of America in Dallas.