Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

GU Goes ‘Mad’ for Financial Advice

For a few hours on Friday, Gaston Hall was as loud and unpredictable as the floor of the New York City Stock Exchange, as CNBC took over the space to tape an episode of “Mad oney” for its college tour.

The program, which offers tips and analysis to inexperienced and experienced investors alike, features bombastic host Jim Cramer, famous for his boisterous presence and wild gesticulating during the program. The show taped on campus between 4 and 5:45 p.m., and aired at 6 p.m. that evening.

In an interview before the taping, Cramer said that bringing the show on the road requires a major effort, and that he wanted to go somewhere where there was a strong desire from students to be part of the program. Cramer said that Regina Gilgan (COL ’98), the show’s executive producer, felt that Georgetown would be a great venue for the show.

“A lot of what I do is sensing the real demand at a college,” he said. “You really want to have more than just, say, a stock club or a business school. I found that there is a broad wanting of the show here [at Georgetown].”

Cramer said that he wants all Georgetown students to take the opportunity to buy one share of a stock that he mentioned during his show. According to Cramer, investing is sometimes intimidating to people, especially to students who have no experience with stocks.

“I think that it is very daunting to people, but it really shouldn’t be because it’s no different from opening a checking account,” he said.

Cramer said that he appreciates the college crowd and young fans he has encountered throughout his college tour. He said he still doesn’t grasp his popularity with younger viewers.

“There is something very mystifying to me,” he said.

During breaks in taping, Cramer talked to students in the audience to explain the logistics of the show, answer questions about stocks and threw rubber bulls and bears to the applauding audience. Adapting Cramer’s trademark catchphrase, “Booyah,” students chanted a modified version of the Hoya chant during the show: “Booyah Saxa!”

George Daly, dean of the McDonough School of Business, said he was initially hesitant about filming the show at Georgetown.

“I had been lobbied by representatives of the show and just put it behind me,” he said.

Daly said he was tentative about filming “Mad Money” at Georgetown because of the “non-reluctant” style of the show, a reference to Cramer’s off-the-cuff persona.

According to Daly, a large flow of student e-mails and personal requests showed him that there was a large interest in the show. Daly said that after consulting with Dan Porterfield (COL ’83), vice president for public affairs and strategic development, he decided to bring the show to campus.

“I came to realize how important it was with the students,” he said.

He also said that the show could be popular among prospective students, who might be anxious to see Georgetown on the program.

Daly did not attend the filming Friday.

Alex Paranicas (MSB ’08), a member of the Georgetown University Student Investment Fund, said that he had been in contact with Gilgan, the executive producer, since January after hearing of other schools that would be on Cramer’s college tour. He said that he initially called CNBC after he received the support of Cynthia Shaw, director of MSB communications, and David Garrison, associate dean and director of MSB undergraduate programs at the time.

Paranicas had previously invited Cramer to speak at his high school’s investment club since both Paranicas and Cramer live in Summit, N.J.

According to Paranicas, the MSB Office of Communications and the Office of Protocol and Events handled negotiations with CNBC. He said that he was informed in August that “Mad Money” would be coming to campus.

Kory Kantenga (SFS ’10), who attended the taping, said he thought the program would benefit Georgetown’s name recognition. Kantenga said he was glad to see Georgetown culture and tradition being broadcast around the country. He believes that filming “Mad Money” at Georgetown will expose more people to the university’s traditions.

“Before I came to Georgetown I didn’t even know what `Hoya Saxa’ meant,” he said.

Paranicas said that he thought the MSB would benefit from the program’s reputation.

“I think it’s phenomenal for the business school,” he said.

Cramer said that he was lucky to have the opportunity to have a television show at this stage in his life.

“It’s hard for me not to be me,” he said. “I would do this show in a bar. I would do this show at a day camp. This is the show I have in my head.”

Georgetown was the second site in the college tour, following a taping at Boston College on Sept. 20. The first season of the college tour featured the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, Harvard Business School and the Columbia Business School.

The episode also featured an appearance by David Gregory, NBC’s Chief White House Correspondent.

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