This week, St. John’s University’s Peter J. Tobin College of Business news highlighted John Neumann, D.B.A, an associate professor of finance. Neumann is also the faculty director of the Financial Information Lab at St. John’s University.
John Neumann has an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He began his business career in industry, working in information systems for Accenture, Robert A. Stanger & Co., Inc., and AT&T. He earned a doctorate in business administration from Boston University, and then became a professor at St. John’s University.
Professor Neumann had the opportunity to help with the design of the Financial Information Lab. The facility has now been in operation for six years. The lab is used by marketing, finance, risk management, and decision sciences students. The lab provides resources that business professionals use to develop business strategies or create and manage portfolios.
Neumann used his information technology experience to help with the design of the Financial Information Lab. He helped chose the technology and review the plans for the facility. The lab is equipped with essential technologies for business professionals, including FactSet, a collection of databases and analytical tools; the Bloomberg suite, a collection of financial tools; a Tracker Board with real-time updates on the College’s two student-managed portfolios and general financial market performance; and 33 computer workstations with dual monitors. Neumann observes: “When you bring a class in here, it’s because you need to access the data that our system provides. There is a real benefit to having students become proficient with a Bloomberg terminal or FactSet software.”
Newmann teaches two investment courses for St. John’s Student-Managed Investment Funds. One of the courses is intended for MBA students and the other is designed for undergraduates. In the class, students have the opportunity to manage real portfolios valued at a combined $3 million. He uses the Financial Information Lab for his own classes.