New Club on Campus

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/06/2010

FREE is finally chartered after months of preparation

JOLIET, IL (October 06, 2010) – Financial Research and Education through Experience (FREE) is a very unique and one of the newest clubs on campus. FREE is dedicated to providing USF students and the community various learning opportunities about personal financial matters through a combination of rigorous research and an outside the classroom experience.

“Exploring financial topics through experience is a fun and hands on way to capture the essential basics of managing money. A skill everyone can benefit from”, Vice President of Finance Darien Smith said.

College students are vulnerable and more likely to develop poor spending and financial habits than any other age group. According to a study conducted by FREE, around 86.6% of USF students are either not confident or somewhat confident in making real life investment decisions and managing their own money. Significant negative consequences such as a poor credit rating, denial of credit and ultimately bankruptcy are the result of poor money management skills.

“FREE understands the importance of reaching out to the community and that our age group has great influence on high school students. We are currently working on an initiative with Dr. Lyle Hicks and Joliet Central High School”, - Vice President of Operations, Timothy Plett.

On October 26, 2010, FREE is co-sponsoring an interactive field trip for 10 students who will have the opportunity of meeting and having lunch with Eric Heim, an alumnus who now works for Northern Trust Bank in Chicago. According to the club advisor, Dr. Frank Wyrostek, “This is entirely a student driven effort to learn through dialogue and personal interactions with professionals.”

FREE will help foster the growth of young leaders and better equip them with much needed leadership skills. Membership is open to all registered students at the University of St. Francis as well as interested community members.

Edon Shaqiri

FREE President

edonshaqiri@stfrancis.edu