FREE Visits State Treasurer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 04/21/2010

Springfield, IL (April 21, 2011) - Financial Research and Education through Experience (FREE) finished off a most astounding year of experiential learning on Thursday, April 21^st when it joined up with Christian Pendleton, newly elected President of  Student Government on an interactive field trip to the state’s Capitol in Springfield, Illinois.

Staying true to its mission of “interactive learning” the students had a personal meeting with the State Treasurer, Dan Rutherford in his Capitol office. Joining the discussion and meeting were the Treasurer’s staff members charged with cash and investment management of the $15 billion dollar state portfolio of assets.

“We were fortunate enough to get our hands on the investment policy of the $15 billion portfolio under management ahead of time, which only enhanced our discussion with the State Treasurer, Mr. Rutherford and his staff members” said Edon Shaqiri, President of FREE. 

It was an opportunity not often experienced by students and was a most fitting completion of a year of successful “interactive” field trips starting in Fall 2010. FREE implemented a total of eight such trips this academic year. “I am most proud of the students and the way in which they engage the professionals we are visiting with “, said Dr. Frank Wyrostek, advisor. “Their questions are most insightful and direct dealing with relevant and current issues.” This visit was no exception., Dr. Wyrostek continued. “Questions ranged from the way in which the state creates community grants to how it determines the allocation of its investments.”

Students taking part in this trip were;  Jason Campbell, Samantha Cepl, Christian Pendleton, Matthew King, Edon Shaqiri, Liza Dryfhout and Ericka Williamson. Along with a  visit with the Treasurer, the visit included a personal tour of the Capitol and both the senate and house chambers, lunch to a historic restaurant built in the late 1800,a visit to the Lincoln Museum and the Tomb of Lincoln Memorial.

Financial Research and Education through Experience (FREE) seeks to serve all USF students and the community to develop opportunities for experiential learning that take us beyond the classroom setting. Our mission is to broaden the learning curriculum through extraordinary experiences by engaging each other and interacting more with  faculty, USF alumnus, professionals in the business field and the community.