NEWSLETTER
Commonwealth Credit Union Internship
IN THIS ISSUE:
Commonwealth Credit Union Internship Graduate Spotlight Spring/Fall Bank Meetups Andy Barr Certificate Announcement Ambassador Spotlights
Logan Owens Logan is a junior from Corbin, KY and is pursuing a BBA in Business Management with a minor in Personal Finance.
Logan recently got the opportunity to work with Commonwealth Credit Union as a Financial Education Intern. In this role, he provides participating high school personnel and students with technical and user support with the online financial education portal. In addition, he generates monthly reports, processes new school unit requests, and preforms analytic studies of platform usage data. One of the perks of the collaboration with CCU is that Logan has a work-space in the Business and Technology Center on the Eastern Kentucky University campus. This allows him to work remotely in-between courses. Logan says his favorite part about being a Commonwealth Credit Union Intern is the ability to help students become more financially literate earlier on in their life as he wished someone had provided these same resources throughout his high school career. Logan plans to graduate in the Spring of 2024 and hopes to find a job after graduation in the banking industry. He is currently celebrating his one year anniversary with CCU!! 1
Fall 2022 Graduate Spotlight: Tanner Murphy Tanner Murphy is a Fall 2022 graduate from Eastern Kentucky University, where he earned Bachelor's of Finance with a concentration in Banking and Financial services with a minor in Risk Management and Insurance . Tanner says he has loved his time at EKU because of the experiences and friendships made over the years. His favorite class was FIN 315, Loan Analysis, which allowed him to understand the borrower’s credit worthiness. Although many professors have helped him along the way, one in particular assisted his overall goals and interests. Tanner states, “Professor Abney has helped me in many ways from helping me revise my resume to setting up meetings with Banking Professionals."
Professor Abney played a major role in recruiting Tanner amongst many other students. Tanner says the Evans Banking Program has allowed him to narrow his focus from studying finance to determining his career path. He also been able to meet with executives within the banking industry that has provided insight into what it takes to become a bank executive. Through this program he was able to obtain an internship at Whitaker Bank. After graduation he plans to accept a job at Whitaker Bank. 2
The 2023 Bank Meetups The Evans Banking and Financial Services had the opportunity to host the fall and spring Banking Meetups. The spring meetup included Eastern Kentucky University Alumni speakers that presented information on their industry and the journey they experienced that put them in the position they are in today. In addition to EKU graduates, eighteen banks were in attendance in hopes of forming relationships with current business students that are interested in the banking industry. Students had the ability to ask questions regarding job positions, the overall industry, and about the company. Independent Correspondent Bankers Bank sponsored our event and as a result of their sponsorship we were able to ake three students to the annual credit conference at Central Bank convention center. In the fall, we had representatives from the OCC and ICBB to present and share invaluable information with our finance and banking students. In total, nineteen banks came and presented to the students. Thousands of connections were made even before the networking lunch provided by First Southern National Bank. The student attendance significantly increased, as this was our best meetup yet!
A big thank you to all the professors, students, bankers, speakers, and student workers who helped made this event possible and successful.
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Financial Technology & Cyber Crime Certificate On April 12th, 2023 the College of Business received a very generous and incredible $1 million gift from Commonwealth Credit Union. In addition to this gift, the announcement of the Financial Technology and Cybercrime Certificate was revealed. This new program is the first of it's kind in the country and will begin in the Fall of 2023. This certificate allows for great opportunities for our students, and provides them with extra education in a specialized field. Pictured above is President McFaddin along with Congressman Andy Barr, Karen Harbin.
Some Recent press releases quoted President McFaddin as saying of Commonwealth Credit Union, “Their generous investment will make a difference for generations of students and provide talented graduates to meet the workforce needs of the financial sector. EKU is proud to collaborate with CCU and offer innovative solutions in this critical field of study.”
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Financial Literacy Central Bank Internship Lauren Moore She is expected to graduate in the Spring of 2023 with a degree in Banking. Lauren hopes to seek an MBA after college.
Lauren has been working as an academic coach 15-20 hours a week where she creates presentations to present certain topics to a classroom full of students. One of her favorite memories while working at Central Bank is her ability to continuously learn everyday. Some skills she has gained in this role are improving her public speaking ability and an overall understanding of the banking industry.
Ambassador Spotlight
Ethan Cusick
Ethan Cusick is beginning his position as an Evans Banking and Financial Services Ambassador. As an Ambassador, he looks forward to meeting others in the program, and being involved with events held on campus. He is currently a sophomore this year majoring in Finance. He enjoys being a part of the program as it provides opportunities and helps build connections for his future. Ethan hopes to become an investment banker at a large firm in a big city!
Ambassador Spotlight
Mason Burnet
Mason Burnett is beginning his position as an Evans Banking and Financial Services Ambassador. As an Ambassador, he will help mentor those students interested in Financial Services. He is currently a senior this year and enjoys being a part of the program because of the positive influence from peers and professors. Mason plans to graduate and move out west to develop his own business.
Department of Accounting, Finance, & Information Systems 521 Lancaster Avenue Business & Technology Center, BTC 108 Richmond, Ky 40475 Phone: (859) 622-1087. finance.eku.edu Program Director: Maggie Abney maggie.abney@eku.edu