LKCM Center for Financial Studies
The LKCM Center for Financial Studies connects students, faculty and industry professionals to advance financial knowledge, investment strategy and market insight through applied learning and industry engagement.
About the Center
Established through the support of Luther King Capital Management, the center connects academic learning with industry practice across financial markets and investment management.
J. Luther King, Jr. ’62 (MBA ’66), Doctor of Letters, honoris causa (’21), Trustee Emeritus and former board chair, has personally guided, advised, supported and championed TCU Neeley students who have gone on to successful careers.
Through conferences, mentorship and applied experiences, the center supports the development of future finance leaders.
Insights from Luther King
Luther King has visited campus over the years to share insights from his distinguished investment career. In a recent visit, he engaged students in discussions on integrity, discipline and long-term investing.
Investment Strategies Conference®
This annual conference brings together leading voices in finance to explore global
markets, economic trends and investment strategy through timely discussions and industry
insight.
Established in 2003, the consistently sold-out event connects students, faculty and
investment professionals with high-profile speakers and actionable perspectives shaping
today’s financial landscape.
Student Programs & Opportunities
The center supports finance students through mentoring, applied learning and professional development experiences that connect classroom learning with real-world financial practice.
- The Transaction and Investment Professionals (TIP) Program connects students with alumni mentors for career preparation and industry insight
- The Educational Investment Fund (EIF) provides hands-on portfolio management and investment analysis experience
- The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) University Affiliation Program aligns coursework with investment management standards and CFA® Exam preparation pathways
- The TCU Finance Club connects students with peers and industry professionals
Finance Research & Resources
The LKCM Center supports impactful finance research and academic collaboration through funding, financial data resources and scholarly engagement opportunities for faculty and students.
- Competitive research grants supporting publication in leading finance journals
- Access to Bloomberg terminals and Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) for financial analysis, investment research and market data
- Research seminars featuring scholars from institutions including Yale, Duke, MIT, Vanderbilt and Notre Dame
- The annual TCU Finance Conference, bringing together leading researchers and finance professionals to discuss emerging trends and scholarship
High School Investor Challenge®
This program introduces high-achieving students to financial analysis and portfolio
management through hands-on learning and guided investment experience.
Participants spend time on TCU’s campus learning from finance faculty while managing
virtual portfolios, analyzing companies and exploring the fundamentals of investing
and market strategy.
Scholarships & Financial Support
The LKCM Center supports finance students through scholarships and funding opportunities that recognize academic achievement, leadership and professional growth. Support includes merit-based finance scholarships, CFA® exam preparation assistance and funding for regional and national finance competitions.
Events & Engagement
The center hosts industry panels, speaker events and networking opportunities that connect students, alumni and professionals across the finance community.
Leadership & Advisory
Explore the people who drive our work and impact.
Influential finance industry professionals serve on our executive committee to provide insight and expertise. Their reputations for excellence and success in business bring a superior professional perspective to the center.
Industry Professionals
J. Luther King, Jr.
Principal, President, Portfolio Manager/Analyst Luther King Capital Management, BS
TCU, MBA TCU, CFA®
J. Bryan King
Principal, Vice President, Portfolio Manager/Analyst Luther King Capital Management,
BA Princeton, MBA Harvard, CFA®
Mason King
Principal, Vice President, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
Luther King Capital Management, BA Princeton, MBA UT-Austin, CFA®
Scot Hollmann
Principal, Vice President, Portfolio Manager/ Analyst Luther King Capital Management,
BBA TCU, MBA TCU, CFA®
James Hille
Retired Chief Investment Officer, Texas Christian University, BS US Naval Academy,
MBA TCU, CFA®, CAIA
Mark L. Johnson
Principal, Vice President, Portfolio Manager
Luther King Capital Management, BA Duke, CFA®
J. Philip Ferguson
Self Employed Investment Professional, BBA TCU, JD UT
Michael C. Yeager
Principal, Vice President, Portfolio Manager , Luther King Capital Management, BBA
TCU, MBA TCU, CFA®, CPA®
Daniel C. Downes
Principal, Vice President, Portfolio Manager/Analyst, BS Miami, MBA Wharton, CFA®,
CPA®
TCU Neeley Representatives
Craig Crossland
John V. Roach Dean of the TCU Neeley School of Business
Mauricio "Mo" Rodriguez
Director, LKCM Center for Financial Studies, Professor of Finance and Real Estate
John Bizjak
Chair, Department of Finance , Robert and Maria Lowdon Chair of Business Administration
Jason Safran
CFA®, Chief Investment Officer
Luther King has shared guidance with students over the years on investing, leadership and long-term decision-making.
For decades, TCU Neeley students have benefited from the generosity and mentorship of J. Luther King, Jr. ’62 (MBA ’66), Doctor of Letters, honoris causa (’21), Trustee Emeritus and former board chair, a longtime friend of the Neeley School whose leadership and example leave a lasting impact on the LKCM Center for Financial Studies.
Luther King has visited campus over the years to share insights from his distinguished
investment career. During a spring 2025 class with Dan Downes, Mr. King joined students
for an engaging discussion about integrity, discipline and lifelong learning.
Introducing Luther King, Mo Rodriguez, director of the LKCM Center for Financial Studies
and professor of finance and real estate, shared:
“Luther King has been one of the best and most successful investors over the last several decades. He is a generous man – not just financial support, but with his time. He is a man with the highest ethical standards and a great role model that I have the privilege to know as a good friend and mentor. He is a man that I greatly admire. He is a humble man. I learn life lessons every time I hear him speak or just by observing his actions. There is great wisdom in his words.”
During his visit, Mr. King offered guidance that he believes will set students apart
throughout their careers. He said that those who consistently do these five things
will be ahead of 97% of others:
- Say thank you.
- Say please.
- Open the door.
- Show up on time. Early is on time.
- Do what you say you are going to do.
Luther King advised students to work at each job they may have as if it is going to be their job forever, cautioning against job-hopping and reminding them that “pie in the sky is sometimes just pie in the sky.”
Throughout the discussion, he emphasized the importance of relationships, including treating others with respect, following through on commitments and earning trust throughout your career.