The University of Dayton’s Board of Trustees has given a group of finance students $4-million more to manage in a special investment fund. Over the next two years, 15 undergraduates who manage the Flyer Investments VIIP endowment fund will receive $1-million per semester.

According to a news release issued by the university, the extra money will push the fund up to $11-million in value. Not bad, considering the fund got started with $25,000 in 1994.

“This is a strong sign of the board’s support and recognition of the success of the student program,” Richard Davis, chairman of Dayton’s investment committee, said in the release, which called the move “a $4-million vote of confidence.” The student-run fund has consistently performed in the top tier of the university’s money managers.

The new money will make Dayton’s program one of the largest student-managed funds in the country. More colleges are entrusting students to invest portions of their endowments, often with surprisingly good results. —Marisa López-Rivera