Post by University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business

Celebrating Excellence in Undergraduate Finance at Smith: On April 17, 2026, the Smith School proudly hosted the 23rd Joseph M. Wikler Finance Case Competition, bringing together 27 undergraduate finance majors across seven teams to tackle a challenging real‑world financial scenario. Established in 2004 through the generosity of renowned investment professional Joseph M. Wikler and now stewarded by Madeline Wikler, this competition remains one of the Smith School’s most prestigious undergraduate finance experiences. This year’s case—“A Financial Planning Opportunity – and Dilemma,” authored by Clinical Professor Emerita Susan White—required students to apply valuation, NPV, WACC and strategic judgment, and then defend their recommendations before a panel of seasoned industry professionals. Congratulations to the 2026 Winning Teams: · 1st Place: Srivishnu Somavarapu, Dylan Edwards, Jordan Koller, Mayank Barnwal · 2nd Place: Saketh Ram Kannoju, Daniel Martin, Rasheevan Nair · 3rd Place: Kade Barry, Andreas Stich, Navtej Mann Special thanks to the distinguished judges—Cris Parcelles ’92, Jay Gouline, Andrew Ma, and Smith professor Terrence O’Brien—for their continued support and insights, and to Madeline Wikler for joining virtually to present the awards. As White noted, the Wikler Competition continues to be a defining opportunity for Smith students to demonstrate analytical rigor, teamwork, and professional readiness, bridging classroom theory with the demands of today’s finance industry. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eR9hRXPA