The competition was held at the bank’s Charlotte branch and included groups of student representatives from six universities. Each university’s student team was asked to analyze and discuss economic conditions and financial markets, with the goal of establishing appropriate monetary policy in terms of the federal funds rate, said James Arnott, associate professor of business computer information systems and economics.

The student team from Western included finance majors Mel Donnellan of Lanesboro, Ireland; Blake Rogers of Chocowinity; Susanna Sjokvist of Gustafs, Sweden; Brandon Wiegand of Waynesville; and team chairman Bryan Shore of Thomasville. All are students in the money, banking and financial markets course taught by Arnott.

In a 15-minute presentation, the students discussed emerging economic conditions, including credit markets and the housing crunch, and international financial flows and exchange rate movements as they impact the domestic economy, said Arnott.

“Our students presented economic and financial information in a clear and concise manner,” said Arnott. “The judges commented on our students’ excellent presentation skills and the logical manner in which the topics were organized and presented.”

Taking first place at the competition was the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Along with WCU, Duke University received a finalist award. Also competing in the challenge was Clemson University, Gardner-Webb University and North Carolina Central University.

For more information about the accounting, finance and economics department at Western, contact Arnott at (828) 227-3491.

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Last modified: Monday, Nov. 19, 2007