WKU Senior Seth Newby found a perfect career match in financial planning as a person and numbers person.
“I’m actually very happy,” said Newby, a Magnolia finance major. “I knew what I wanted to do pretty early on. I knew I liked numbers and analysis. But sitting behind a computer screen all day is not me. I love people. Financial planning is a nice mix of analytical thinking and the ability to help and serve people. “
Newby, who has accepted a position with ARGI Financial Group in Louisville, will be recognized as an Ogden Foundation Scholar for the Spring Semester 2021 on Saturday.
It is an honor and humility for him to receive the WKU’s best academic award for students. He is also grateful for the connections he has made and the opportunities he has had for academic, personal, professional, and spiritual growth.
As a high school senior making a college decision, Newby’s perspective was simply to graduate and get a good job. Then he visited the WKU.
“There’s just something different about the atmosphere here,” said Newby, the son of Freddie and Melissa Newby. “You have talked about the spirit that makes the master and you say, ‘What does that even mean? ‘At the end of your four years here, you have a much better idea of what that means, and you can even get a glimpse of it on a tour. “
Newby said the WKU’s experience – particularly his involvement with Gordon Ford College of Business, Mahurin Honors College, and the Christian Student Fellowship – broadened his view of the college.
“These three groups have helped me build up and bless myself throughout my time here. Hopefully I did something about it. “
In his four years on the hill, Newby was HonorsTopper, Ambassador for Gordon Ford College of Business and Advisor to Mahurin Honors College H4 (Freshmen Retreat). was a senior analyst for the TVA Investment Challenge and the Investment Challenge of the CFA Research Institute; spent a semester abroad at Harlaxton College; was Dean of Gordon Ford College of Business for a day; received the nationally competitive scholarship from TD Ameritrade NextGen RIA; and conducted research on the volatility of the election cycle market during an internship at Vanguard Group.
As an HonorsTopper and Ambassador for the Gordon Ford College of Business, Newby encourages prospective students to connect with campus organizations, build relationships with professors, and stay open.
His mentors include Indudeep Chhachhi, chairman of the finance department; and Ron Rhoades, director of the WKU personal financial planning program and associate professor of finance. “Dr. Chhachhi and Dr. Rhoades are phenomenal educators, finance professionals and men. WKU is very fortunate to have them,” Newby said.
In their letters of recommendation for the award, Dr. Chhachhi and Dr. Rhoades states that Newby has taken advantage of the opportunities offered by the WKU and is well prepared for his professional career.
Newby summarized his WKU experience and goal of serving others in his Ogden Scholar essay.
“With all the opportunities and successes that many of us have had here at WKU, it is imperative that we use our experiences and new perspectives to create a better global community. It is not our job to boast of our intellectual prowess, cultural awareness, or prestigious work experience, but rather we are called to listen, understand, and love the people around us, regardless of who they are or where they are from “Said he wrote.
“At the WKU I was able to find a community that encouraged me and challenged me to grow. I came to WKU with a gross underestimation of the impact this university would have on me, but the hill has become my home, surrounded by a sense of spirit and family. I am immensely grateful for the experience I had here and for the impact it will have on the rest of my life and those around me. “
# WKUGrad series: As part of our #WKUGrad series, articles about graduates are published in the weeks before the start. You can find all of their stories at https://www.wku.edu/news/articles/index.php?view=default&categoryid=799&multinewsid=187
Comments are closed.