Five Appalachian State University students made a historic run in the world's largest equity research competition.
The students — Keira Andrews, Carson Beane, Jack Parquette, Davis Pharr, and Brenden Wortman — make up this year's Broyhill Fellows, App State’s team competing in the CFA Institute Research Challenge.
App State's team is selected annually from members of the Bowden Investment Group. The CFA Challenge teams are named in honor of the Walker College of Business's long-standing relationship with the Broyhill Family. Employees of Broyhill Asset Management mentor the teams.
Representing the CFA Society of North Carolina, the Broyhill Fellows advanced through six rounds of competition in the 2024-25 CFA Institute Research Challenge.
Their performance earned them a place among the top six teams globally out of more than 7,000 students representing 1,153 universities worldwide.
"The students’ work was nothing short of outstanding, a testament to their deep analytical ability, composure under pressure, and unwavering commitment to excellence," said Dr. Brandy Hadley, who serves as faculty advisor to the Broyhill Fellows and its parent organization, the Bowden Investment Group. "This achievement reflects world-class financial acumen, resilience, and the strength of the students' teamwork. We could not be prouder of what they have accomplished on the global stage."
"This achievement reflects world-class financial acumen, resilience, and the strength of the students' teamwork. We could not be prouder of what [the Broyhill Fellows] have accomplished on the global stage."
The final round of competition was held the week of May 5 in Chicago.
2024-25 Titles
The Broyhill Fellows earned the following distinctions:
- North Carolina Local Champion
- Southeastern Sub-Regional Champion
- Americas Regional Champion
- Top 6 Global Finalist
"We are grateful to Mr. Patrick Wells, Senior Portfolio Manager at Broyhill Asset Management, for his outstanding mentorship and support; to Dr. Delbert Goff, Mr. Chris Pavese, and the many former Broyhill Fellows whose dedication laid the foundation for this year’s success; and to CFA Society North Carolina and the Bowden Investment Group for their steadfast support and encouragement of our team throughout the challenge," added Hadley.
Competitors
The Fellows competed head-to-head against the following institutions on their journey to the championship.
- University of North Carolina Wilmington (2nd place in North Carolina)
- Elon University (3rd place in North Carolina)
- University of North Carolina Greensboro (4th place in North Carolina)
- SKEMA Business School (5th place in North Carolina)
- Indiana University Southeast – CFA Society Louisville
- Kennesaw State University – CFA Societies Alabama, Atlanta, and South Carolina
- Millsaps College – CFA Societies Arkansas, Memphis, and Mississippi
- Stetson University – CFA Societies Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, Orlando, South Florida, and Tampa Bay
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga – CFA Societies East Tennessee and Nashville
- California State University, Fullerton – CFA Society Los Angeles
- Fairfield University – CFA Society New York
- Babson College – CFA Society Boston
- University of Oklahoma – CFA Society Oklahoma
- Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez – CFA Society Chile
- Universidad Argentina de la Empresa – CFA Societies Argentina & Uruguay
- University of Alberta – CFA Societies Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg
- University of Waterloo – CFA Societies Ottawa & Toronto
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.
App State students, 2024-2025 Broyhill Fellows, in Chicago
Students at world championship