After winning the Americas Regional Semi-final Round of the CFA Institute Research Challenge on April 8, Appalachian State University's Broyhill Fellows team will compete in the Regional Final Round (April 10-11), vying for the title of Americas Champion.
The students, Keira Andrews, Carson Beane, Jack Parquette, Davis Pharr, and Brenden Wortman, outperformed competing teams from California State University—Fullerton, Fairfield University, and Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, and they now look to compete against Babson College, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa, the University of Alberta, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Waterloo.
Winners will advance to the Global Final Round in Chicago on May 5.
The students represent continued App State success in the annual challenge. Broyhill Fellows teams have won 13 of the 17 State Rounds and four out of the five Southeastern Rounds of the competition. However, according to faculty advisor Dr. Brandy Hadley, this is only the second time in university history that a team has advanced to this level of the Americas Rounds.
"This achievement, marking the fifth round of competition, places App State among the top 6 teams in the Americas and the top 16 teams globally—a remarkable feat considering more than 1,000 universities worldwide compete in this challenge," said Hadley. "We could not be prouder of the students, whose analytical rigor, poise under pressure, and professionalism continue to shine as they represent App State with distinction."
Learn more about the history of the Broyhill name and read recent news posts about them and fellow Bowden Investment Group members.
About App State's Broyhill Fellows
Four to five finance and banking students from Appalachian State University are selected from the membership of the Bowden Investment Group to participate annually in the CFA Institute Research Challenge. Named the Broyhill Fellows in honor of the Walker College of Business' long-standing relationship with the Broyhill Family, the students are mentored by employees of Broyhill Asset Management.
About App State's Bowden Investment Group
The Elbert V. Bowden Investment Group allows students to gain hands-on investment experience as part of an investment management course. The Elbert V. Bowden Student Managed Investment Fund was established in January 2000 in the Department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance at Appalachian State University, and financial donations from alumni, faculty, businesses, and other supporters have added to the fund's total net assets. Students analyze investment opportunities and manage a real investment portfolio, aiming for a return on invested funds that exceeds the return on the S&P 500 Index. Learn more at https://big.appstate.edu.
About App State's Department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance
The Department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance develops leaders for business, government, and education by offering a Bachelor of Science in business administration in two specializations: finance and banking and risk management and insurance. Learn more at https://finance.appstate.edu.
From left are Brenden Wortman, Carson Beane, Keira Andrews, Jack Parquette, Davis Pharr
2025 Broyhill Fellows