Two former Cox school of business graduates contributed funding to enhance the education of SMU business students. The money donated is being used to create a subset of finance for “alternative asset management.”

Scott Luttrell (BBA ’77) and David Miller (BBA ’72 and MBA ’73) have donated a total of $3 million for the creating of the new subset. Both work in the fields of alternative asset management and recognize the rapid growing demand for the field.

Dr. Albert Niemi, dean of the Cox school, points out that Dallas is one of the top three cities leading in private equity and hedge funds, natural fields for graduates in asset management.

“During the past five years, investments in hedge funds, venture capital, private equity, real estate, and oil and gas have increased exponentially,” Dr. Niemi said.

Asset management is a growing part of the investment world and is an idea breaking away from traditional investment action mainly in individual securities. It is the idea of investing in diversified funds and many other assets, and many hedge fund and equity managing investment firms desire graduates with analysis skills in this area.

The new program, according to the Director of BBA academic advising, Kimberly Bright, is not a new major.

“It is more of an extension or a specialization in the finance field; however anyone with the right criteria can apply,” Bright said.

Bright pointed out the fact that the program is available on a very limited basis and upon completing a subset of required classes, an application process will also be involved for any student interested that will focus on GPA, academic record and motivation for the hedge fund industry.

The program consists of two classes made up of six hours and is distributed over two semesters beginning this fall.