Five Florida Gulf Coast University students from the Lutgert College of Business got a little more than the typical career preparedness experience they expected from their coursework during the spring semester.

The group joined tens of thousands of investors from around the world at the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders meeting May 3 in Omaha, Nebraska. They also had the opportunity to witness history as the multinational conglomerate’s legendary president and CEO, Warren Buffett, announced his retirement after 60 years. Known as “the Oracle of Omaha” and hailed as the world’s most influential financial investor, the 94-year-old shocked attendees with the surprise revelation at the gathering often called “the Woodstock of capitalism.”

“This was the financial markets equivalent of being at Yankee Stadium for Lou Gehrig’s farewell speech or at the Beatles’ last concert,” said Ronald Mushock, adjunct faculty member in FGCU’s Department of Economics and Finance. Faculty adviser for the student group that traveled to Omaha, Mushock described attending the meeting as “resume gold” for aspiring professionals in the financial field. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear from the world’s all-time greatest investor,” he said.

Eagle Fund provides hands-on learning

The FGCU contingent didn’t need a special invitation to Omaha. They were all participants in the Eagle Fund, a student-managed investment financial portfolio that includes shares of Berkshire Hathaway — and the annual meeting is open to all shareholders, Mushock said.

The Eagle Fund is an applied investments class in which students manage real-world equities and bonds on behalf of the FGCU Foundation with the guidance of faculty advisers and industry partners. The learning activity is designed to provide hands-on experience using state-of-the art technology and skills needed for careers in the competitive financial services industry. Launched in January 2007, the fund holds more than $1 million in stocks and bonds.

Students overseeing the Eagle Fund and attending the shareholders meeting described both experiences as “life-changing” and important steps along their career paths.

Fall 2024 graduate Nicholas Malik, who earned his degree in finance with a minor in economics, took a little time off from his recently landed job as an investment analyst with Moran Wealth Management in Naples to travel to Omaha with former classmates.

A native of Dayton, Ohio, Malik described the atmosphere as “electric but also bittersweet” because of Buffett’s unexpected retirement announcement. The billionaire later said he would still attend next year’s annual meeting but would not take the stage as usual.

“The experience can only be described as a once-in-a-lifetime event. This was a bucket list item for me that I was glad to check off,” Malik said. “It gave me a front-row seat to timeless investment principles and the importance of integrity in leadership. Hearing Warren Buffett reflect on six decades of disciplined value investing and long-term relationship-building highlighted how trust, patience and a clear decision-making framework create enduring success.

“Professionally, the experience reinforced the value of being a lifelong learner and surrounding yourself with people who think long term.”

FGCU prepares professionals

Malik also credited his education at FGCU for providing him with a strong foundation by combining rigorous coursework with hands-on experiences such as attending national shareholders meetings and managing actual investment portfolios. “Being part of the Eagle Fund sharpened my skills in equity analysis, portfolio management and real-time investment decision-making,” he said.

Kennon Moore, a 2025 finance graduate with a concentration in analysis and management, agreed.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help and guidance from my professors, the programs through the business school and the experiences like being an analyst for Eagle Fund and attending the Berkshire Hathaway meeting,” said Moore, a Sarasota resident.

Moore, who planned to move to Stamford, Connecticut, to start a job in wealth management, said he has admired Buffett and his investment strategies for many years, calling the financial guru the inspiration for his own decision to pursue finance.

“Being there and listening to him pour out his wisdom was a surreal feeling, like a dream come true, but I never even dreamt I would get to attend one of these events,” he said. “Another thing that added to the over-the-moon feeling was how enthusiastic everyone was to be there and hear from the man himself. The event brought in so many people from all over the world, unlike anything I have ever seen.”

In fact, Moore is such a big Buffett fan that he traded one once-in-a-lifetime experience for another: He skipped his spring commencement ceremony to attend the shareholders meeting.

“Warren Buffett played a big part in me taking up finance, and I have grown to develop a real passion for finance and really resonate with his way of thinking,” he said. “When I was offered the opportunity to attend and knew I would have to skip graduation for it, I didn’t give it more than 10 seconds of thought before saying yes to the offer.”