Tozzi Electronic Business and Finance Center

New York Stock Exchange. Photo Courtesy: Nbcnews.com

Wall Street Meets University of Michigan

by Ryan Negri

The first time I walked into the impressive Tozzi Electronic Business and Finance Center at the University of Michigan, I was amazed that students around my age were being instructed on how to read stock charts and trade as if they were in a real professional setting. Members of Michigan Interactive Investments were learning the basics of being a stockbroker and it opened my eyes to the fact that Michigan has many learning opportunities that prepare students for professional careers. Located in the basement of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business building, Tozzi is a mini-replica of a real-life Wall Street trading floor. Named after John R. Tozzi, a successful businessman and philanthropist, the 5,800 square foot, cutting-edge facility provides students with opportunities to explore the world of finance and technology.

Class being taught in the Tozzi Electronic Business and Finance Center. Photo Courtesy: Bus.umich.edu

Tozzi has a variety of resources available to students that enable them to gain real-world experience. In addition to its state-of-the-art technology and unparalleled resources, the center offers access to financial software, live financial data and news feeds, and trading tools that allow students to experience the look and feel of a trading floor environment ("Dividend"). These resources have been instrumental in helping students gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the fast-paced world of finance and technology. For example, Tozzi is equipped with FactSet research systems. According to Investopedia.com, "FactSet provides computer-based financial data and analysis for financial professionals, including investment managers, hedge funds, and investment bankers" (Chen).

John Tozzi is a successful businessman who, after receiving his MBA at Michigan in 1967, “founded Cambridge Investments LLC, and also founded and served as President, CEO & CIO for Cambridge Investments Limited from 1982-2010” (“John R. Tozzi”). Tozzi has been featured in: Barron’s, CNBC, Forbes, and Esquire (“John R. Tozzi”).

Tozzi's first name embodies his true spirit. According to TheBump.com, the name John is "of Hebrew origin meaning 'God is gracious'" (Meehan). Tozzi's generosity and support for the UM community have made a significant impact on the lives of countless students. His dedication to education and his commitment to innovation are the cornerstones of the Tozzi Center. His most recent donation of $1.5 million has only solidified his commitment to the center's future (Vis). Tozzi’s unwavering passion for education serves as a powerful beacon of inspiration, fueling students to soar to new heights.

John Tozzi is the president of Cambridge Investments. Photo by Price Chambers. Photo courtesy: JH News and Guide

Student being instructed on how to read a stock chart. Photo Courtesy: Michigan Ross

The center has become a base for innovation and learning, with Michigan students and more than seven investment clubs regularly meeting there. According to Rossweb, “Each week the trading floor gets about 500 to 700 student visits and on some weeks it receives over 1,000 students for classes, projects, clubs and tours.” These clubs include: The Maize and Blue Fund, Michigan Interactive Investments, Victors Value Investments, Alternative Investments Club, Global Investments Committee, and the TAMID Group. The Maize and Blue Fund, a real estate group on campus, has grown their fund to $600,000 by using tools available at Tozzi, such as FactSet, that help them carefully invest their money, which is a testament to the vast resources and opportunities provided by the center (Vis).

The Tozzi Electronic Business and Finance Center commitment to excellence and innovation has made it a hub for creativity and learning, and it has become a vital part of the University of Michigan’s highly driven business community. Looking to the future, I believe that the Tozzi Center can increase its outreach to empower and educate more students and become more available. This can be achieved by offering trading and resource workshops during the week that any regular student, like myself, can sign up for.

Tozzi is a symbol of innovation, benevolence, and dedication to education. John R. Tozzi's generosity and legacy will continue to inspire students for years to come. The Tozzi Center is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to support education and innovation.

Works Cited

Chen, James. “FactSet.” Investopedia, Investopedia, 15 July 2022, https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/factset.asp. Accessed 28 March 2023

“Dividend." Deep Blue Repositories, Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Vol. 35, No. 2, Fall, 2004. https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/50787. Accessed 28 March 2023.

“John R. Tozzi.” Michigan Ross, University of Michigan, https://michiganross.umich.edu/about/profile/john-r-tozzi. Accessed 28 March 2023.

Meehan, Alison. “John.” The Bump, XO Group Inc., https://www.thebump.com/b/john-baby-name. Accessed 28 March 2023.

“Tozzi Financial Trading Center.” Ross IT Services, The Regents of the University of Michigan, https://rossweb.bus.umich.edu/ross-it/tozzi-financial-trading-center/. Accessed 28 March 2023.

Vis, Bridget. “Michigan Ross Alum John R. Tozzi Pledges $1.5m to Support the School's State-of-the-Art Electronic Business and Financial Center.” Michigan Ross, The Regents of the University of Michigan, https://michiganross.umich.edu/news/michigan-ross-alum-john-r-tozzi-pledges-15m-support-school-s-state-art-electronic-business-and. Accessed 28 March 2023.

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