Focusing on the Future of Students

Jane Miller Banks ’56

Jane is an instrument of change. When she taught business education at a community college, she was a visionary at a pivotal point in time—the introduction of the personal computer. She was the first to get a grant to purchase personal computers for students. She knew they would need them to be competitive in the evolving business industry. With only a technical manual in hand, she taught herself first, and then wrote the curriculum to instruct her students. She still has an eye for the future. She recently updated her gift purpose from books to book codes. This will help students purchase the electronic versions of books and other class materials. Jane wants to ensure that students continue to receive the same top-notch business education that she did and continue to gain a competitive advantage in the classroom.

Matthew Levenson

Matthew recognized the opportunity to gain a competitive edge at Eberly College. They had something that other universities do not: the Bloomberg Terminal, a computer system used by investors to access real-time financial data and facilitate financial transactions such as stock trades. Matthew said, “You have to differentiate yourself and I knew gaining Bloomberg Terminal experience would set me apart from other business graduates.” Students do more than just learn how to use the system. They use the system to manage a real portfolio, the Student Managed Investment Portfolio. It directly involves students managing assets provided by the Foundation for IUP upward of $1 million in US equities. Real money, real life, real experience. Matthew serves as the Portfolio Manager and recognizes the outstanding learning opportunity he has been given. Matthew hopes that this competitive edge will help him gain employment upon graduation. He is appreciative of generous donors, like Jane, who have a forwardthinking mindset. He also appreciates the forwardthinking faculty who recognize the tools that ensure students keep pace with market standards.