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In Fall 2024, the Center hosted Excel for Finance Bootcamp for students at no cost, providing them with a significant competitive advantage as they enter the job market. Topics cover an intensive mix of Excel shortcuts, finance, accounting, and valuation. The workshop will be led by former investment banker and current faculty member Utkarsh “Ute” Bhagat, who brings over 20 years of practitioner and instructor experience.
Prior to this program (FMA), students at Auburn didn’t have a clear path to a career in investment banking or asset management, it’s been exciting to watch the program grow. We now have … 100 percent full-time placement for our graduating seniors and 100 percent junior internship placement every year." Tracy Richard Executive Director Harbert Investment Center
In addition to several training programs, such as SIE prep and E-Money, the Auburn Finance Society has experiential student visits scheduled, including the Atlanta Fed and Chicago Board Options Exchange. These opportunities represent a substantial investment in students' future careers, equipping them with skills that are highly sought after by employers and often command premium salaries in the finance sector.
delivering practical entrepreneurial education across the state and the Auburn Ideas Jam offering a low- barrier platform for students and community members to pitch ideas. The Lowder Center is positioned at the beginning of the entrepreneurial pipeline, focusing on early-stage startups and micro-entrepreneurs and helping their businesses grow. MEDIA PRODUCTION GROUP Bruce Kuerten, Director The Media Production Group had another banner year. The unit renewed its $1.1M+ advertising grant with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. This year, it expanded the grant to include research funding for Harbert’s Department of Business Analytics and Information Systems. The collaboration unites industry professionals with research pioneers and is expected to improve the effectiveness of the advertising campaign. The MPG designed the imaginative 2024 Dean’s Report which was distributed to AACSB Deans as well as high-value donors. MPG also received three Telly Awards — for a public service announcement on seat
LOWDER CENTER FOR FAMILY BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP Joshua Sahib, Director
The Lowder Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurship continues to drive innovation and entrepreneurial growth across Auburn University and Alabama. This year, the Center proudly launched the Startup Studio at Auburn University, a new initiative funded by an Innovate Alabama grant. The Studio fills a critical gap in the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by offering services such as branding, web design, and video production to early-stage entrepreneurs at no cost. This allows startup founders to focus on their expertise while receiving support in areas where they may lack resources. In return, they provide business performance data that aids future research and grant applications. Additionally, the Lowder Center introduced the Business Builders Bash, an annual event that brings aspiring entrepreneurs together for a weekend of business development, networking, and competition. The program is Auburn’s spin on the popular Startup Weekend format. The Center’s other flagship programs remain vital, with EnergizeAL
Harbert Magazine, Spring 2025 17
Tracy Richard is named Executive Director of the Harbert Investment Center.
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