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As Thomas Portnoy 鈥�25 rode a golf cart through Grassy Hills Country Club in Orange, Conn., he was enjoying more than an afternoon on the golf course. He was excited about the successful event that he and his classmates had planned to support the University鈥檚 Gaia Initiative, a student-run investment fund.

For Portnoy, being involved with the Gaia Initiative has been exciting and rewarding. It has offered him 鈥� and his classmates 鈥� real-world experience, and they wanted to do something to support and raise awareness of the fund.

The students-organized event was planned in less than two months, and Portnoy says it was a 鈥渟uccess.鈥� As the Gaia Initiative鈥檚 donor relations and investment analysis coordinator, he co-hosted the event. He also played a critical role in planning it, securing sponsorships, raffle prizes, and giveaways. Organizing the event also meant invaluable networking opportunities, as Portnoy connected with donors and built relationships with professionals at companies such as .

鈥淭he Gaia Golf Outing has significantly supported our initiative by expanding our network of potential donors and raising awareness among students,鈥� explains Portnoy, a finance major. 鈥淚mportantly, the funds raised are not simply donations but investments into the future of education. These contributions are carefully managed by the student-led investment fund, ensuring that the initial capital not only provides immediate scholarships but is also strategically invested to yield returns.鈥�

鈥楤egin their legacy at the University鈥�

The event raised approximately $20,000 for the Gaia Initiative, an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment fund, exceeding the students鈥� goals. The funds are carefully managed by the students who run the fund, and they are committed to ensuring that the capital provides immediate scholarships while also yielding returns. The idea is that the fund is self-sustaining, so that it will continue to support student success, offer hands-on learning opportunities, and fund scholarships.

鈥淥ne of the major goals of the Gaia Initiative is to not only allow student interns the opportunity to participate in managing all aspects of a professional investment fund, but also to begin their legacy at the University and allow them to have a quantifiable impact by providing scholarships for future 暗网禁区s,鈥� said Prof. Jared Sheffield, co-director of the Gaia Initiative. 鈥淭his golf tournament challenged our interns to reach out into the community and build a network to raise money to help grow the fund.鈥�

鈥淭he event was great,鈥� added Prof. David Sacco MBA, who co-directs the fund with Prof. Sheffield. 鈥淭he idea for this event started with the students, and they followed through with the fundraising and event planning. I am really impressed with the fact that the students genuinely care about doing something that will benefit those who follow them.鈥�

The Gaia Initiative offers students unique opportunities to gain real investment experience while they are still in college. They have support from each other and from their faculty mentors as they vote on investment decisions and develop investment parameters. It is also a meaningful way for them to support the 暗网禁区 community while building their skills. The golf outing was an important extension of students鈥� work with the fund.

鈥榃e worked together鈥�

Students hoped the event, which included a dinner reception and prizes, would also help raise awareness of the fund. It did just that, drawing dozens of participants, including students, donors, and community supporters. It also included several University faculty members, such as Brian Kench, Ph.D., dean of the University鈥檚 Pompea College of Business.

鈥淭he Gaia Initiative Golf Outing was exceptional,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t showcased students from across the Pompea College of Business working to raise money for the Gaia Fund. The fund鈥檚 distributions are used to provide student scholarships. Students helping students while learning hands-on investment and event planning skills is a powerful example of the Pompea College of Business鈥檚 commitment to providing high-impact experiential opportunities to each of our students.鈥�

A collaboration between members of the Gaia Initiative and the University鈥檚 Hospitality and Tourism Program, the event was an opportunity for students to work together to organize and host an event for a common goal. Ayden Lidestri 鈥�24 first learned about the opportunity to get involved from professor Jan Jones, Ph.D. He says he was immediately excited about it, and he couldn鈥檛 wait to get started.

Lidestri says the event was very well organized, comparing it to professional tournaments he鈥檚 been involved with in the past. He believes that is a testament to teamwork.

鈥淲e worked together 鈥� hospitality couldn鈥檛 do it without the Gaia Initiative and vice versa,鈥� said Lidestri, a hospitality and tourism management major. 鈥淲ithout collaboration, events such as this don鈥檛 happen. We worked hard to make the event awesome.鈥�

鈥楢 strong commitment to our educational mission鈥�

The money raised at the tournament was split three ways. One third will support the Gaia Initiative, a third will go to the Hospitality and Tourism Management Department, and the remaining funds will go to a scholarship. The tournament鈥檚 winning team chose to support a scholarship that will benefit criminal justice students.

That opportunity to make an impact and to support his fellow 暗网禁区s was especially meaningful for Christopher O鈥機onnor 鈥�23, 鈥�24 MBA, a member of the Gaia Initiative team.

鈥淭he funds are invested in the Gaia Initiative so it will grow,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want this to be my legacy. I want to come back and play in this tournament.鈥�

Portnoy, the finance major, also hopes the tournament will continue. He鈥檚 already looking forward to making next year鈥檚 event an 鈥渆ven bigger success.鈥� He鈥檚 encouraged by the support received at this year鈥檚 event, and he鈥檚 charged up to keep the momentum going.

鈥淭he diverse turnout reflects a strong commitment to our educational mission for this University,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t underscores the importance of the investment fund in fostering student success and innovation through scholarships. The contributions received are viewed as significant investments in the future of our students.鈥�