Miami University’s Farmer School of Business announced the formation of the Center for Real Estate Finance and Investment (REFI) at a special kickoff event in Columbus last week hosted by Miami alumnus Mike Guy and further supported by Mark Wagenbrenner, President at Wagenbrenner Development, DJ Effler, President at Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital LLC and Brian Ellis, President of Nationwide Realty Investors.

The REFI Center will serve as a focal point for the school’s real estate major and minor.  “Our goal is to ensure that our students graduate beyond ready to launch their careers. The combined interest from students and the opportunities in this fast-growing field provided the “why” for this initiative and we are fortunate to have the support of our alumni,” stated Jenny Darroch, Dean and Mitchell P. Rales Chair in Business Leadership.  “Our real estate major and minor not only require course work in the breadth of our business disciplines, they also incorporate coursework in the Geography/Urban Planning Department as well as some opportunities to work with the Architecture Department.”

The day-long kickoff event was attended by 28 Miami University students and a series of Miami alumni who shared their career experiences and insights in the industry.  “The new REFI Center will give the students a great leg up in launching their careers,” noted Effler. 

The highlight of the event was a series of site visits hosted by Brian Ellis, President of Nationwide Realty Investors to the Arena district and Grandview Yards and by Mark Wagenbrenner to the Quarry Trails development.

“Miami provided us a terrific education and we are pleased to be able to give back to the University and support the students and the new center in such a meaningful way,” Wagenbrenner said.