The Bonds of Investment and Westminster College Draw Group Together
In Westminster College circles, the innovative work done by the Blue Blazers Investment Committee in building and managing a real life investment portfolio is well known. However, only a limited number of people are aware that this current day college program has its roots in an investment club started by St. Louis alumni on September 6, 1956.
The St. Louis Westminster Investment Club meets six times a year. Before these meetings, the investment committee gets together to decide on three purchase recommendations to bring to the general membership. Members are made aware of the recommendations in advance so they can do their own individual research on the investments. Then at the meeting the members vote whether to add these new stocks to their portfolio. Sometimes there are also recommendations to sell stock or rebalance. Brock Ayers, ’82 is the financial advisor for the Club.
To join the Club, a member must be an alumni of Westminster, pay the $900 annual dues for meals and events, and invest the correct amount to purchase shares in the club, which is an amount that changes daily. This entrance fee is an investment the member owns. So if the person leaves the club, he or she would receive whatever the shares were worth at the time of departure.
The Club currently has 32 members, but would welcome new members and particularly women alumni since there are currently no women in the Club. A President of the group is elected annually, and a member who is a CPA who has experience with handling the books and taking care of taxes is the Treasurer. The six meetings per year move from location to location around the city, usually the private club of one of the members. At the present time Art Rueck, ’50 is the oldest member. The current officers are Steve Humphreys, ’83, President; Jonathan Haller, ’12, Vice President; and Lee Peterson, ’77, Treasurer.
Yet, even though the St. Louis Westminster Investment Club has the framework of a typical organization and deals with stock investment, which can be serious business, the members will tell you the main objective is to socialize and have fun. Their common loves of investment and Westminster College are what draws them together. Some of their funds go toward nice social events they plan such as a summer trip by bus to the Fairmont Park Horse Races or a December meal and evening at the theatre, all chauffeured by bus.
This time-tested model could be replicated in any part of the United States wherever a group of alumni who share a mutual interest in investing and a love of their years at Westminster live in the same area. The members of the St. Louis Westminster Investment Club would be more than happy to offer their help. If you and your fellow Westminster alumni are interested in starting a similar project in your area or would like more information about joining the St. Louis Club, please contact the Treasurer, Lee Peterson, at 314-703-5412 or e-mail him at LPeterson2@aol.com.
