09/15/11 jgm

HAYS, Kan. -- Three Fort Hays State University financial planning students were selected to be among nine teams from across the country to participate in the Financial Planning Challenge national competition in San Diego, Calif., from Wednesday, Sept. 14, to Saturday, Sept. 17.

The team is Layne Krizek, Hays senior, Nolan Kempke, Claflin senior, and Cameron Werth, Hays senior.

The challenge was created to support the next generation of financial planners by engaging students and program directors in the financial planning community, raising awareness of career opportunities, and encouraging learning and networking in the financial planning profession.

Teams compete in three phases: a written case study, an oral presentation of the case study and a financial planning trivia contest.

"Students in the past have said that this was an invaluable experience," said Dr. Tom Johansen, professor of economics, finance and accounting and faculty advisor for the team. "Despite all the work that they had to put into it, they have said they would do it again."

FHSU has competed in this contest since 2001 against schools across the nation including Colorado State University, Kansas State University, Virginia Tech, Purdue and Texas Tech. They have advanced to the finals for 10 years in a row, and two of those years they have placed first.

"Our students have done so well that our school has gained recognition among other schools and the financial planning industry across the country as a top-quality school," said Johansen.

The top three winning teams will receive $10,000, $5,000 or $1,000 in scholarship money for their school. The first place team will also receive the Career Coach Award, which will provide each team member a one-hour career coaching session from a financial planning expert.