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William Paterson University Financial Planning Students Win Two Events at 2013 National Financial Planning Challenge

From left, Giuseppe Roveccio, Daniel DiVizio, and Brian Schiess

-- Cotsakos College of Business financial planning majors continue to win top awards in national competitions

Three students in William Paterson University’s Cotsakos College of Business won two events at the Financial Planning Association’s (FPA) 2013 National Financial Planning Challenge held in Orlando, Florida from October 19 to 23, 2013.

Daniel DiVizio of New Milford, Giuseppe Roveccio of Pompton Plains, and Brian Schiess of Ridgefield Park made up the team that competed with seven other finalist teams. The students, all financial planning majors, won first place in the game show-style knowledge bowl segment of the competition. They also placed first in the financial planning case study presentation, where they created a financial plan for a mock client. Professors Duncan Williams, Joe Rowek, and Luke Dean were the faculty advisors for the team.

All three students are members of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, an honors society chapter for AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accredited business schools. The University’s chapter was named an Exemplary Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma for 2012-13.

The University's Cotsakos College of Business financial planning degree is one of more than 110 financial planning programs in the United States. All are invited to participate in this competition, but only the top eight are chosen to compete in the finals as part of the FPA’s national conference.  William Paterson students won first place overall in the FPA’s National Financial Planning Challenge in 2010 and placed second overall in the 2011 competition.

Since its inception in 2009, William Paterson’s financial planning program continues to generate buzz in the industry with students garnering top awards in national competitions. William Paterson was named one of the nation’s top schools for future financial planners by Financial Planning Magazine in 2011, 2012, and 2013.