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Duff & Phelps Names The Ohio State University Winner of the YOUniversity Deal Challenge 2011

^{Published on 2011-04-21 06:06:10 - Market Wire}
 

NEW YORK--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Duff & Phelps Corporation (NYSE: DUF), a leading independent financial advisory and investment banking firm, announced that The Ohio State University students Chris DiYanni, Zachary Messenger and John Weiler emerged as the first place winning team in Duff & Phelpsa™ YOUniversity Deal Challenge 2011. The competition challenges students from schools across the country to solve a complex business problem in the areas of mergers and acquisitions advisory, transaction opinions, dispute consulting and valuation advisory.

"We are proud that this objective was advanced through our teama™s exceptional work in the competition. Ohio State also applauds Duff & Phelpsa™ commitment to sharpening the skills of the next generation of business leaders through the YOUniversity Deal Challenge."

This yeara™s competition culminated in a final round of oral presentations at Duff & Phelps' New York headquarters on April 14. A total of $25,500 in scholarship funds was presented to the three finalist teams, with The Ohio State University team receiving the top prize of $15,000. Brigham Young University accepted a second place scholarship award of $7,500, and the University of Southern Californiaearned a third place scholarship award of $3,000.

aGiven the complexities inherent in the global financial system, it is crucial for business leaders and the next generation of financial professionals to grasp the importance of transparency,a said Noah Gottdiener, chief executive officer of Duff & Phelps. aDuring their final presentations for the YOUniversity Deal Challenge, these students gained valuable experience and demonstrated the kind of practical knowledge they will need to be successful in the changing landscape of the financial advisory and investment banking world. Duff & Phelps is proud to support their development and applauds their outstanding performances.a

The Ohio State University team was advised by Sergey Chernenko, an Assistant Professor of Finance for the Fisher College of Business. His research and teaching fields include corporate and behavioral finance.

aA fundamental mission of Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University is to create learning environments that unite the theory of business with the practice of business,a said Christine A. Poon, dean of Fisher College of Business. aWe are proud that this objective was advanced through our teama™s exceptional work in the competition. Ohio State also applauds Duff & Phelpsa™ commitment to sharpening the skills of the next generation of business leaders through the YOUniversity Deal Challenge.a

A panel of judges comprised of nationally recognized experts, academics and professionals determined winners based on the teams' performances during the final round of oral presentations in New York. Judges in the final round of competition represented Duff & Phelps, George Mason University, New York University, the University of Southern California and the University of Texas.

Details on the competition are available at [ http://duffandphelps-jobs.tmpqa.com/competition.aspx ]. More information on Duff & Phelps' commitment to financial education, including the Duff & Phelps Chair in Business Analysis & Valuation at Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University, is available at [ http://www.duffandphelps.com/aboutus/Pages/OurCommitmenttoFinancialEducation.aspx ].

About Duff & Phelps

As a leading global provider of financial advisory and investment banking services, Duff & Phelps balances analytical skills, deep market insight and independence to help clients make sound decisions. The firm provides expertise in the areas of valuation, transactions, financial restructuring, alternative assets, disputes and taxation, with more than 1,000 employees serving clients from offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Investment banking services in the United States are provided by Duff & Phelps Securities, LLC. Investment banking services in the United Kingdom and Germany are provided by Duff & Phelps Securities Ltd. Duff & Phelps Securities Ltd. is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Investment banking services in France are provided by Duff & Phelps SAS. For more information, visit [ www.duffandphelps.com ]. (NYSE: DUF)