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October 1, 2007
Goizueta receives $10M to establish new center

By Victor rogers

Emory Goizueta Business School has received a major gift of $10 million from a private donor to establish The Emory Center for Private Equity and Hedge Funds.

“The explosive international growth of private equity and hedge funds is causing a sea change in the world’s financial markets,” said Goizueta Dean Larry Benveniste. “We envision the Center becoming the intellectual hub for academic research, teaching and outreach, and the nexus for scholars and practitioners sharing ideas related to private equity and hedge funds. Through its work, the Center will contribute significantly to the public understanding of this all-important industry.”

The mission of the Center will be to support academic research and education on the important function hedge funds and private equity play in allocating financial resources. In that role, the Center will help shape the public debate about this industry in a manner that addresses the most important questions. For example, are investors getting good risk adjusted returns? Are capital markets more efficient? Are markets more or less stable? Are economies more efficient? Do businesses improve fundamental performance when they are taken private?

“The Center will have a positive impact on the school’s programs,” said Klaas Baks, an assistant professor of finance who teaches a private equity course. “Student interest in alternative investments, including private equity and hedge funds, has grown in recent years.”

Through courses designed in collaboration with Center staff, students will gain invaluable insight into the alternative investment industry. Students also will experience an increase in mentoring, internship and career opportunities by interacting with industry leaders affiliated with the Center.

Pending the Center’s formal approval by Goizueta Business School faculty, Benveniste will begin searching for a candidate to lead the Center’s initiatives.

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