Block endowed chair for finance funded by former students
Dr. Stan Block’s work has contributed much to the school and put the finance program on the map, colleagues say. An endowed chair for finance was recently named in his honor.
By Sarah McNamara
Staff Reporter

Colleagues of Stan Block say his name is significant and familiar to many who have passed through the university’s finance department. Now his contributions will be remembered indefinitely.

Block, who founded the university’s Educational Investment Fund in 1973, was recently named the first holder of the Dr. Stan Block endowed chair for finance at the EIF Alumni Symposium.

“To me, it’s the pinnacle of my career,” Block said. “It’s the highest honor a professor can receive.”

In his 36 years at TCU as a professor of finance, Block has touched finance students around the world, said close colleague Joe Lipscomb, a professor of finance.

Lipscomb said some of Block’s most visible achievements are starting the university’s first EIF and having the second best-selling finance textbook in the world.

“He has also provided the opportunity for TCU graduates to gain access in work on Wall Street and become extremely successful,” Lipscomb said. “I think it’s extremely appropriate (the chair’s) named after him. It’s a testament to how well his students appreciate what he’s done for them.”

Block said the position is unique because it is funded solely by former students.

Students have contributed a total of $1.4 million to the endowed chair, which is the only student-run fund in the country, Block said.

“This sets up a model for the rest of the country in terms of student and colleague support of faculty,” Block said.

This won’t be the first time universities around the country will follow Block’s lead, Lipscomb said.

When Block first started the university’s EIF, Lipscomb said Block received many calls from other schools about how to start up their own programs and he didn’t hesitate to send them policies and procedures.

“He put our finance department and program on the map,” Lipscomb said. “Most schools have modeled their programs after ours.”

Block said when he first developed the EIF he intended for it to be more than just a money-managing tool, but also a learning tool.

As a professor, Block said his primary goal is “to challenge the students and to make sure that they appropriately learn the concepts of finance.”

One of Block’s students, senior e-business and finance major Matthew White, said he enjoys hearing Block talks finances in baseball.

“He does great things for students,” White said. “It’s a reward to say thank you for all the work he’s done for the school.”

Mauricio Rodriguez, chairman of the finance and decision science department, said the endowed chair is a benefit for the university and the department.

“It’s a well deserved recognition for Dr. Block,” Rodriguez said. “It will attract world-renowned scholars to the position in the future.”

s.e.mcnamara@tcu.edu