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ALSO
IN THIS ISSUE A Body of Knowledge Investing in the Future Math, Science Students Find Special Help Toward Gainful Employment Chancellor's Column Development News Factoids Newsmakers Accomplishments by faculty and staff… |
Investing in the Future When discussing the current market, Beulah Underwood becomes both financial adviser and poet: “Despite the dotcom bomb and the tech wreck, investing goes on,” Underwood says. Indeed it does, and so does Underwood, who for more than 30 years has been a stock market investor and business teacher, and for almost a decade the leader of a successful investment club. Interest in business and finance came when Underwood first entered the workforce. “It was after I got my first paycheck that I realized I needed to do something,” Underwood said. “I looked at the gross and I looked at the net, and I realized I wanted to learn how to shelter my income.” Underwood’s instincts were already honed. She grew up modestly in Columbus, Ga., where she had a happy life with several teachers who influenced her, so muchso that before she finished grade school, she decided on a lifetime as a teacher. Underwood married her high school sweetheart, Luke, in 1955, moved to California in 1956, had three children and landed a job as a secretary. Underwood went to school while working and raising her children, ultimately satisfying her dream to teach. “Education is like love – you’ve got to share it,” she said. “Teachers always inspired, motivated and helped me to believe in myself. I feel fortunate that somebody pays me to teach, because I love this work.” Underwood says that when she encounters students who lack some of the basic skills necessary to succeed in her class, she is willing to work with them. “I tell them I’ll meet them halfway,” she said. “If they are willing to work, I will work with them.” The message is mostly the same to members of her investment club. “Right now, we don’t know where the bottom is,” she said. “But there have been times we didn’t know where the top was. The market has changed, so we’ve changed our strategy along with it. We all knew the dotcom values weren’t really where they were supposed to be. It was a frenzy. Now we must all be more selective. 2001 was quite challenging. There were many layoffs and the earnings were not glowing. Still, I firmly believe that as Shakespeare said, ‘This too shall pass.’” Underwood has written three books on investing, and studies the market in any spare time she can find. “I tell people they have to practice the three T’s — time, temperament and training,” Underwood said. “Those three will enable a person to succeed in the market.” Underwood is about to complete her doctorate, another longtime goal. She says she may retire from teaching in a few years, but will stay active as an author, lecturer and adviser to all who care to listen. “I can’t be selfish with knowledge,” she said. “Life is too wonderful not to share all you know. I have a saying about every dollar I earn: For each one, teach one.
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 Beulah Underwood |