Thirty-two University of Nebraska–Lincoln students gain hands-on experience in investing and wealth management through the sixth class of the Investors With Purpose (IWP) program in the College of Business. The selective program brings together high-achieving students with investment professionals for a semester-long course emphasizing real-world application, mentorship and networking.
Brian Neale, chief investment officer for the University of Nebraska Foundation, teaches the course and shared how the program provides a one-of-a-kind bridge between classroom theory and the practice of professional investing.
“The biggest benefit is the exposure to real-world investment professionals,” Neale said. “Students move beyond theory to understand how investing actually works in practice. The network they build here is powerful. Nearly every one of our alumni talks about how connections from this class helped them get where they are today.”
Neale described the class as exceptionally driven and engaged, noting how their preparation and curiosity stand out. He said the students bring a level of focus and ambition that reflects well on the university.
“They’re exceedingly smart, motivated and ready to do great things,” Neale said. “It’s inspiring to watch them develop into future leaders in the finance industry."
The program was created by Douglas Waggoner, '75 and '77, a Husker alumnus who spent 25 years as a senior leader at BlackRock. Supported by the Douglas and Karin Waggoner Family Foundation, the program extends beyond the classroom and offers paid internship opportunities to its participants. Waggoner said the program’s impact continues to grow through its emphasis on education, mentorship, internships and community.
“This marks the sixth consecutive year of Investors With Purpose, and by any measure, it has been a real success,” Waggoner said. "We’ve had roughly 180 students complete the program and provided more than 20 paid internships through the Nebraska Investment Council and the University of Nebraska Foundation’s investment office. The education, mentorship and community this program creates give students an edge that lasts well beyond graduation.”
He said those four pillars form the foundation of the program’s mission to help students develop professionally while building meaningful, lasting networks. Through class sessions and speaker events, students connect directly with leaders in the asset and wealth management industries. The opportunity to apply what they learn in paid internships also helps them stand out when pursuing their first jobs after graduation.
At this year’s IWP Alumni Night, graduates Lydia Hoffman, ‘24, of Northland Securities in Omaha, Parker Barry, ‘24, of Ameritas Investment Partners in Lincoln, and Nick Janssen, ‘23, of Wells Fargo Advisors in Lincoln returned to share how the program shaped their career paths. Hoffman said the program gave her the confidence to pursue opportunities that once felt out of reach.
“Meeting professionals and hearing their day-to-day experiences helped me connect what I was learning in class to real-world careers,” Hoffman said. “Those insights shaped my goals and helped me land one of my favorite internships while still in college.”
Neale said the students’ energy and professionalism continue to elevate the program’s reputation. Looking ahead, he hopes to expand opportunities for students to complete internships even before the semester begins.
“It’s about preparing Nebraska students for high-profile careers, whether they stay here in the state or go anywhere in the world,” Neale said.
The students selected for the 2025 IWP program are listed below by hometown, with their current class standing based on credit hours earned in school and academic major(s).
Nebraska
Elkhorn: Colton Cain, junior, economics and finance; Kyler Evans, junior, finance; James O'Leary, senior, accounting and finance; KJ Schenck, junior, accounting and finance
Hickman: Davis Tetrick, junior, finance
Lincoln: Will Blatchford, junior, economics and finance; Tyler Castle, junior, economics and finance; Bruno Chincoa, senior, economics and finance; Tyson Dettmer, senior, finance; Andrew Foley, senior, finance; Alec Franksmann, junior, finance; Colin Jones, senior, actuarial science and finance; Nicholas Loriaux, junior, finance; Rienk Mast, second degree student in finance; Elise Novak, senior, accounting
Norfolk: Taelin Baumann, senior, finance
Omaha: Charlie Cox, senior, accounting and finance; Jude Dunwoody, junior, accounting and finance; Amin Elfatih, senior, accounting and finance; Drew Harper, junior, accounting and finance; Cohen Munson, junior, finance; Ben Nodes, junior, finance; James Sengstock, junior, finance
Papillion: Sam Lockhart, senior, accounting and finance; Jack Maloney, senior, economics and finance; Charlie Paladino, junior, finance; Abby Veiman, senior, actuarial science and data science
Elsewhere
Canton, South Dakota: Derek Tieszen, junior, finance
Eagle River, Wisconsin: Jack Bunter, senior, economics and finance
Galena, Illinois: Jacob Furlong, senior, accounting and finance
San Antonio, Texas: Noah Beninato, junior, finance and management
Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Samuel Heier, senior, accounting and finance
