Cleared for Takeoff
Cleared for Takeoff
Recap of K-State Finance Scholars 2021-22 Trips
After two years of Zoom hangouts and missed trips, the Kansas State University Finance Scholars and Student Finance Association members were finally able to pack their bags, hop on a plane and get back to experiencing life in the finance-world first-hand.
During the 2021-22 academic year, Dr. Sabuhi Sardarli, Director, Gates Capital Management Center for Financial Analysis, took K-State Finance Scholars and members of the Student Finance Association on trips to Minneapolis, Boston, Chicago, and New York where they connected with alumni and friends in high-end investment management, management consulting, investment banking, and the buy-side of financial markets—careers the students are working toward.
“Connecting Finance Scholars with our alumni is one of the most valuable aspects of our program for our students,” said Sardarli. “Our students are high-achieving and committed, and the connections they build and insights they gain through these trips set them up for rewarding careers in the financial industry."
The College of Business continues to be extremely grateful for the support that is consistently demonstrated from a wide and caring network of alumni and friends. Their support makes these trips possible.
Reflecting on her first two years in the Finance Scholars program, Emma Stegman, Wamego, said, “I have grown so much through the networking opportunities, meetings with alumni, training workshops, and interactions with other scholars. I’d recommend this program to anyone interested in a field in finance!”
Below are some highlights from their trips.
Minneapolis November 2021
Students connected with alumni and friends and expanded their network by visiting:
Boston April 2022
Students connected with alumni and professionals at the following companies: Bain Capital, Goldman Sachs, Bain & Company, Putnam Investments, VantEdge Partners LP, Adage Capital Management, and New Profit. Students also participated in a case discussion at Harvard Business School with Ted Berk.
Many individuals made this trip 
possible, including Mike Goss, Jeff DeVolder, Matej Senkarcin, Benjamin Prawdzik, Amanda Zajac, William Begley, Mo Lawal, Evan Greif, John Lynch, Molly K., Michael Kaminsky, Cathy Saunders, Dave Johnson, Alex Nadas, John Anderson-Schmitt, Bob Atchinson, Phill Gross, Vanessa Kirsch, Sam Hiersteiner, and others. Special thanks to Paul Edgerley for the support he provides for all Kansas State University College of Business students.
Chicago March 2022
The main purpose of the visit was to attend the Private Equity Conference at the University of
Chicago Booth College of Business. Primarily meant for University of Chicago MBA students, the conference brings students and private equity, and mergers and acquisition professionals together. K-State’s group was made up of particularly young students, mostly sophomores and freshmen. Despite this, they interacted well with the seasoned professionals, asking many questions, and establishing connections.
New York City March 2022 
Scholars engaged with alumni as they visited organizations such as Gates Capital Management, Stone Harbor Investment Partners, Prime Finance, JP Morgan, Huron, Neuberger Berman, Cognitive G Capital, and Columbia Threadneedle.