Recanting his past experiences in the business world, MSU President M. Peter McPherson spoke Wednesday at the first meeting of the Student Investment Association.

"I was very impressed," said marketing junior David Savickas, who also is marketing vice president for the association. "He brought a realism to a career in business when he touched on the amount of hours worked."

Using strategies from Wall Street, the SIA aims to teach students how to properly invest money.

"We want to provide unique resources to help in the investment process," said SIA President Panos Grivakis, a finance junior.

Some of the tools offered to SIA members are a $1,000 research package and finance books and CDs.

The origin of the program stems from an idea shared by Grivakis and Steven Savickas, SIA president and marketing senior.

"The two of us came together and decided to make a difference," Grivakis said. "There really wasn't an organization on campus focused on educating students in investment."

In addition to teaching investment strategies, SIA members participate in golf outings and volunteer activities.

"It is really important that the member build relations," Steven Savickas said.

Although the Student Investment Association is a new organization, it hopes to reach certain goals and objectives within the academic year.

"We would like to set up student run portfolios," Steven Savickas said.

Those interested in joining the group can do so by paying a $45 membership fee. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 13, at the Eppley Center.

For more information visit msu.edu/~investor.