Finance Department celebrates inaugural ‘Formal for Finance’

The Department of Finance, Insurance, and Business Law recently held its inaugural “Formal for Finance” at the German Club Manor. The networking gala was open to all finance students and faculty and was hosted by Finance for Females and Friends.

The formal, with the theme of Enchanted Winter Wonderland, allowed the department the chance to recognize donors, supporters, and contributors, as well as raise funds for the Women on Wallstreet initiative. Students and guests had the opportunity to network, dance, or do both as the manor was changed into a winter wonderland by Finance for Females and Friends with greenery, lights, balloons, and even a touch of snow.

Saonee Sarker, Richard E. Sorensen Dean of Pamplin College of Business, and Michelle Seref, interim assistant dean of Outreach and Student Engagement, joined the students in both networking and on the dance floor. Tyler Beason, assistant professor of finance, and Ashley Beason delighted attendees with the waltz while the DJ kept many faculty and students on the dance floor for hours.

Taylor Young’s piano playing aided the ambiance for the event. In addition to the catered food, George Morgan, Truist Professor of Finance, and Donna Morgan, along with the student organization, prepared sweet treats for attendees.

“On behalf of the entire department, I want to thank Amber Dubey, Adeline Ghosh, Kathryn Gough, Adrianna Le, Hannah McLauchlin, and Alessia Ucci for an amazing job in creating, planning, and executing the Formal for Finance event with such great finesse, grandeur, and perfection,” said Vijay Singal, department head of the Department of Finance, Insurance, and Business Law. “We are incredibly proud of you. Kudos to Professor Elesha Wikle for her ability to motivate the students to excel beyond anyone’s expectation.”

Finance for Females and Friends is an organization open to all Virginia Tech students that strives to empower women by offering a secure, comfortable environment that fosters an investment-concentrated education for all majors along with a mentorship-based membership program. Additionally, through their standards of excellence, the organization strives to uphold the Virginia Tech motto of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

The Women on Wallstreet fund is an initiative, supported by Finance for Females and Friends, to educate high school students about careers in finance, including those on Wall Street.