We, the undersigned students, alumni, and supporters of Illinois Wesleyan University, respectfully urge the board to reconsider its position regarding Professor Munenzon’s teaching style and his continued role in teaching upper-level finance courses. Professor Munenzon has been an integral part of our educational experience, profoundly influencing the way we understand and approach the complexities of finance. His innovative and unconventional teaching methods using Bloomberg Terminal have proven not only effective but transformative in preparing students for real-world success. 

Since joining the faculty in 2022, Professor Munenzon’s contributions have had a measurable and lasting impact on the achievements of Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) students. Numerous alumni who studied under his guidance have secured prestigious positions at firms such as JP Morgan (Clayton Anderson, Class of 2023), Morningstar (Kayleigh Hall, Class of 2023), NISA Investment Advisors (Lauren Wong, Class of 2024), Oak Ridge Investments (Oleksandr Fedorets, Class of 2023), Byline Bank (Klaudia Wyszynski, Class of 2023), and Commerce Trust (Jake Ocker, Class of 2024, where he also represents IWU on the Portfolio Management Board). These alumni not only enhance IWU’s reputation by diversifying the university’s professional network but also return to campus to recruit future students, expanding opportunities for all. 

Despite IWU not being a target school for many top finance firms, students under Professor Munenzon’s mentorship have successfully secured internships at prominent organizations, including PwC (Daniel Flores), Cboe Global Markets (Alika Rakhimova), Country Financial (Will McNulty) and BMO (Andres Morales-Gomez). This success underscores the value of his teaching style and the practical preparation he provides. 

Professor Munenzon brings a wealth of professional experience in equity valuation, financial statement analysis, international economics, behavioral finance, and portfolio diversification methodologies to the classroom. He complements this expertise with real-world case studies, supplemental readings, and investment strategies from thought leaders like Warren Buffett, Mark Douglas, and Nassim Nicholas Taleb.  

One of his most notable achievements has been revitalizing the IWU Student Fund. When Professor Munenzon assumed leadership, the fund’s total year-to-date (YTD) portfolio return was -11.99%, underperforming the S&P 500’s -9.34% return. As of November 30, 2024, under his guidance, the portfolio has achieved a remarkable 25.10% YTD return, with the 28% market's return. This turnaround exemplifies the efficacy of Professor Munenzon’s value investing methodologies and company screening practices. Rather than following trends, the classroom focuses on high-value businesses with strong macroeconomic factors and financial metrics that provide deeper insights into a company’s long-term performance. 

Beyond academics, Professor Munenzon has enriched the student experience through the creation of finance-focused clubs and organizing visits to leading firms such as JP Morgan Chase, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Morningstar, Cboe Global Markets, BMO, Northern Trust, Calamos Investments, NISA Invesment Advisors, Fifth Third Bank, and Byline Bank. These initiatives not only broaden students’ professional horizons but also reinforce IWU School of Business and Economics’ reputation as a hub for finance education. 

We recognize that the board may have concerns about Professor Munenzon’s unconventional teaching methods. However, it is essential to prioritize the voices of those most directly impacted—his students. Many of us have not only benefited from his approach but have also achieved internships and employment at top-tier firms as a direct result. Discontinuing his ability to teach upper-level classes would deprive IWU of a unique and invaluable resource that distinguishes it as a leader in finance education. 

We respectfully request that the board engage with students, consider our firsthand experiences, and reaffirm Professor Munenzon’s role as an educator who brings unparalleled value to IWU. His teaching style is not a liability—it is a proven asset that prepares students for real-world success and elevates the university’s standing. 

Please support Professor Munenzon in continuing to make a difference by retaining his teaching methods and role in upper-level finance classes.