A team of Marian University students has earned a second-place finish in one of Indiana’s most competitive finance competitions, outperforming teams from several of the state’s largest universities.
Competing in the 2026 CFA Research Challenge, hosted by the CFA Society Indianapolis, Marian’s undergraduate team placed runner-up among top programs across the state, including Indiana University, Purdue University, DePauw University, Ball State University, and Indiana University Indianapolis. A graduate team from the University of Notre Dame claimed the overall championship.
Held on February 19th, the annual competition challenges student teams to deliver professional-level equity research and investment recommendations. This year’s subject company was Allegion, which required teams to conduct an in-depth financial analysis and present their findings to a panel of industry experts.
Marian’s team of Liam Begley, Peyton Doty, Joseph Jacobs, Natalie Priser, and Henry Yoder worked alongside faculty advisor Thomas Hinkley, MBA, Ed.D., and industry mentor Austin Crites, CFA. Their second-place finish reflects months of rigorous research, collaboration, and preparation.
“Our business school is proud to have such remarkable students representing Marian,” said Hinkley, chair of marketing, management, and supply chain programs and assistant professor of finance. “They put in countless hours of research and preparing their presentation, and that work paid off. It is these types of opportunities that give our students experiences that translate directly to the business world.”
Organized by the CFA Society Indianapolis, an association of more than 450 investment professionals, the Research Challenge is designed to promote ethical standards, professional development, and real-world experience in financial analysis. Students gain hands-on exposure to the kind of work performed by investment professionals, from evaluating companies to defending recommendations under pressure.