K-State's Financial Planning Team takes second place at national championship

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Source: John Grable, 785-532-1486, jgrable@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Jane Marshall, 785-532-1519, jpm2@k-state.edu

Friday, April 27, 2007

K-STATE'S FINANCIAL PLANNING TEAM TAKES SECOND PLACE AT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's Financial Planning Team earned second place at the national collegiate financial planning competition championship, the Ameriprise Planning Invitational, April 18-21, in Minneapolis, Minn.

Team members, all seniors and all personal financial planning majors, are Emma Goff, Emporia; Theresa Kasper, Wilson; and Samantha Oliver, Upland, Calif.

The team, mentored by John Grable, associate professor of family studies and human services, has a long track record of success. In competition among 30 to 40 schools, K-State won national titles in 2006, 2005, 2003 and 2000.

At this year's competition, K-State finished behind Virginia Tech.

"These three students exemplify the quality of students in the College of Human Ecology and in the School of Family Studies and Human Services," Grable said. "They represented the university very well. Citizens of Kansas can be proud of their achievements."

The students wrote a financial plan without professional software or assistance. They were judges on the plan, presentation skills and a game, in a "Jeopardy" format, testing their knowledge of personal financial planning.

"The School of Family Studies and Human Services is very proud of the accomplishments of this team, as well as teams in the past which have made the finals competition eight years straight,” said Bill Meredith, director of the school.