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ONU HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT CLUB
Program Excellence
ONU Investment Club
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The Investment Club of the McGraw School of Business performed outstandingly during a pandemic, presidential election and recession. Initially starting with $250,000 dollars, the club hit an all time high managing a portfolio of $801,000 dollars. This growth gives students a unique opportunity to not only learn about investments and how to invest a company’s assets but gives them an opportunity to put their knowledge to practice.
This semester the Student Scholarship Fund produced a positive rate of return and beat the club’s benchmark at a +13.3% return as opposed to the benchmark of +6.69%. The students believe this is due to the shift from defensive equities to cyclical equities.
Jonah Posthumus says, “We have learned how to invest in a pandemic, an election, and a recession all in one year. I have learned how important it is to have strong foundational principles that are informed and logical. Fortunately, due to these principles, we have made progress in leaps and bounds this semester and even hit an all-time high in our student-managed portfolio during one of the most volatile periods of our lifetime.”
The Student Engagement Fund also had a great quarter—not only posting gains but outperforming the benchmark by 27%. They believe it is because of their focus from defensive equities to cyclical equities that they believed would outperform with the pandemic and promote the shift to working from home and lockdown.
“Many other schools have investment clubs in which students are able to learn about the stock market and investing, but oftentimes these clubs do not manage a real fund of money. Olivet’s investment club was able to receive many generous donations that we have invested and plan to use as a scholarship fund for students!” says student Emma Hayes.
+13.3%
benchmark return as opposed to the benchmark of +6.69%.
DR. BRAD THOMAS
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS D.B.A.
Dr. Brad Thomas, professor of Management Information Systems pursued his doctorate at the Falls School of Business at Anderson University and his degree was conferred upon him in August 2020. He shares with us this research, area of expertise, experience, teaching, and learning. His dissertation centered on the emotional intelligence of students and was titled: “An exploratory study of Emotional Intelligence characteristics between disciplines in higher education and suggested curriculum adjustments.”
Daniel Goleman, Harvard social psychologist stated that Emotional Intelligence (EI) may be more important to the future success of individuals than cognitive intelligence and technical skills combined. I created a model and survey to show the level of exposure and variances in Emotional Intelligence of students in various field of study. The data showed significant statistical EI differences of majors such as Nursing, Business, Engineering, Education, and Theology/Christian Ministry. I have integrated lessons on Emotion Intelligence and how it could help students in their future careers and relationships.
After earning my Master of Business Administration, I worked in industry before transitioning into academia utilizing a diverse set of experiences and technical skills to engage and challenge my students. My experiences have taught me that the one constant in any industry or position is that technology changes, validating the importance and necessity of being a lifelong learner to remain relevant in your field and area of study.
I teach all levels of management and Management Information Systems (MIS) courses in the McGraw School of Business. I enjoy working with freshman all the way up to graduating seniors – it is humbling to see the growth in students as they mature. I also thoroughly enjoy advising students and working with them in the Future Business Leaders of America – Phi Beta Lambda (FBLAPBL).
The McGraw School of Business celebrates and congratulates Dr. Brad Thomas for his educational accomplishments, contributions, teaching, and passion.
