Ginny Gnadt
Senior Public Relations Specialist
(414) 297-6770, gnadtv@matc.edu

OAK CREEK, Wis. (April 15, 2011) – Four Milwaukee Area Technical College students who are enrolled in a business finance course at  MATC’s Oak Creek Campus placed in the top 10 percent in a nationwide virtual investment game.

Of the 418 game participants across the nation, four MATC students placed in the top 41. Rebecca Fisher placed 10th with an account value of $14,193, Maria Garcia placed 20th with an account value of $11,531, Christopher Rodriquez placed 36th with an account value of $10,788, and Dominic Klapper placed 41st with an account value of $10,714.

Each student managed a $10,000 virtual investment account over a 60-day period. Research information for real companies was provided on the competition website. The students reviewed and then selected companies in which to invest. They traded stocks weekly and monitored which stocks had the best returns.

Judy Reinders, business administration instructor said, “Through this activity, the students learned how to make wise investment decisions and trades in the New York Stock Exchange, which they found to be a worthwhile experience.”

The competition was sponsored by the Institute for Virtual Enterprise (IVE), a City University of New York special initiative. IVE’s mission is to use technology simulations to engage students in active learning.