Twenty-one PennWest University Finance and Personal Financial Planning students, accompanied by three faculty members, recently participated in FINNECTS, a unique symposium and networking event held on the Clarion campus. The initiative, designed to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world, offered students invaluable insights and networking opportunities with industry leaders.

The morning and early afternoon sessions featured a diverse panel of distinguished speakers who shared their expertise and experiences. Presenters included Chris Martin, president & CEO of Sewickley Savings Bank; Matthew Zewe, assistant vice president at First National Bank; Lydia Solomon from Vanguard's Financial Advisor Development Program; Kasey Kobs, future financial planner and senior manager at the CFP Board; and Caleb Brown, CEO of New Planner Recruiting.

The afternoon transitioned into a more relaxed and interactive setting at Fore Factory in Clarion. Attendees engaged in friendly competition with golf simulator machines and cornhole, and even showcased their vocal talents during a karaoke session. The successful event was a collaborative effort between the Finance and Personal Financial Planning clubs across PennWest's campuses, in partnership with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board). The CFP Board demonstrated its commitment to fostering the next generation of financial professionals by generously sponsoring lunch and providing attendees with branded T-shirts, hats and mini speakers.

The FINNECTS event drew participants from all of PennWest's campuses, including Clarion, Edinboro, California and Global Online, highlighting the university's commitment to providing comprehensive and engaging learning experiences for all its students. Faculty members Dr. Michael Engdahl, Dr. Nan Li and Dr. Shaun Pfeiffer accompanied the students.

This initiative underscores the value of connecting classroom learning with real-world applications and fostering relationships that can benefit students as they embark on their professional journeys.