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Dordt finance students are testing what they learn in the classroom against some of the best programs in the country. And increasingly, they’re rising to the top.

Last fall, a four-student team from Defender Capital Management earned second place nationally at the in Atlanta. Competing against 34 universities—including and —Dordt advanced to the final round in its first year participating and ultimately secured a top-two finish.

Widely regarded as one of the most rigorous finance competitions in the nation for both undergraduate and graduate programs, the event challenges students to determine the market value of a real private company—an especially complex task given the limited data available. Teams present their findings to industry professionals and defend their analysis under pressure.

“It is extremely encouraging to know that my Dordt education has prepared me in many different ways,” says Nolan Karel, a senior who double-majored in accounting and finance. “It drove home the fact that a Christ-centered education in no way means sacrificing academic excellence or rigor.”

In February, another Dordt team competed in the CFA Institute Local Research Challenge in Iowa City, analyzing O’Reilly Automotive and presenting a full equity research report to a panel of judges. The competition included nine teams from schools across Iowa, including the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and Grinnell College.

The project required months of preparation, culminating in a 10-page report, a formal presentation, and a rigorous question-and-answer session.

“The competition pushed each of them out of their comfort zone and natural strengths,” says Dr. Jesse Veenstra, assistant professor of finance. “They willing to be uncomfortable, challenge themselves, and come together as a team.”

Ella Peacock, who studies marketing and finance, says the experience—while intimidating at first—encouraged her to prepare at a higher level.

“It was a hands-on experience that pushed us to apply what we’ve learned in class in a more real-world setting,” she says.

“It was a rewarding experience working through detailed financial analysis, financial model building, and presenting our recommendation to industry professionals,” says Jacob Narkis, a double major in actuarial science and finance. “The competition helped strengthen my skills in equity research, financial modeling, and collaboration under pressure.”

Experiences like these—including some right on campus—are increasingly shaping how Dordt prepares students for careers in finance.

This spring was the inaugural Kingdom Investment Challenge (KIC), bringing together student teams from Dordt and Northwestern College to present equity research and defend their investment ideas in a professional, high-stakes setting. The competition integrated financial analysis, communication, and thoughtful consideration of investing through a broader lens of purpose and stewardship.

“The KIC was designed to give students exposure to competition while also simulating a real-world experience,” says Veenstra. “It provides a more accessible entry point, with the goal of helping students build confidence and develop an interest in pursuing larger competitions in the future.”

Together, these events point to a broader pattern: Dordt finance students are gaining the skills, confidence, and perspective needed to compete at a high level.

“Dordt prepares our students to enter their career fields as well as any institution,” says Veenstra. “They have the ability to excel just as much as students from larger, nationally known schools.”

For Will Cutler, a business: finance and entrepreneurship student who took part in the CFA Local Research Challenge, that preparation happens within a distinct kind of learning environment.

“What I appreciate most about Dordt is that it’s a Christian environment where you can strive for excellence and mastery while also resting in the joy of the Lord.”