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, offering insights into global markets, economic trends and investment strategy.
Student Programs & Opportunities
The center supports finance students through mentoring programs, applied learning and professional development experiences. The Transaction and Investment Professionals (TIP) Program connects select students with alumni mentors to support résumé development, interview preparation and career placement.
Students can also engage with peers and industry professionals through organizations such as the TCU Finance Club.
Finance Expertise & Industry Preparation
The center supports advanced financial training and industry preparation through initiatives such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) University Affiliation Program, aligning coursework with global investment management standards.
Faculty research and academic programming are supported by competitive research grants, industry-leading data platforms such as Bloomberg and Wharton Research Data Services, and scholarly collaboration through seminars and conferences.
High School Investor Challenge®
This program introduces high-achieving students to financial analysis and portfolio management through hands-on experience and guided learning.
Events & Engagement
The center hosts industry panels, speaker events and networking opportunities that connect students, alumni and professionals across the finance community.
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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, Theodore and Beluah Beasley- Faculty Fellow 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.