Moneta Group chair says he owes his success
to UM-St. Louis
Peter Schick represents the prototypical University of Missouri-St. Louis do-good story. From his modest background, he’s gone on to achieve remarkable professional success and become a solid civic leader.
Growing up in south St. Louis, Schick is one of seven children. He described the family’s modest brick home as “cozy,” and its one bathroom as “even cozier.” Schick attended the city’s public schools and says he had little exposure to the notion of higher education.
“Very few students at my high school had aspirations of going to college,” Schick said. “Plus, no one in my family had ever attended a university, so it was a foreign concept.”
After completing a stint in the U.S. Air Force, Schick pursued his goal of earning a bachelor’s degree in finance from the College of Business Administration at UM-St. Louis. Thanks to a bit of creative financing from the university’s dean of admissions, Schick was able to begin his college career and later repay the school with money from the GI Bill.
“I’ve been forever grateful to UM-St. Louis, and to the dean of admissions, since the day I began my course work,” Schick said. “I’ve never forgotten that favor.”
After graduation, Schick joined Moneta Group, a comprehensive planning and investments firm in Clayton, Mo. In just a few short years, he began the process of acquiring the company. At the time of the acquisition in 1982, the company’s assets under management were about $100 million. Schick estimates that total now exceeds $6 billion, and Moneta Group is among the top five largest independent financial planning firms in the country.
In addition to a highly successful career, Schick has a history of donating his time and resources to many organizations. In December 2003, a UM-St. Louis representative asked Schick if he’d like to get involved with the university.
Since that day, Schick has made an endowment to the university and has established three scholarships for finance students. He also joined the Dean’s Advisory Council for the business college and the university’s Chancellor’s Council.
“I’m very committed to UM-St. Louis,” Schick said. “In my case, I’m convinced I wouldn’t be where I am today were it not for UM-St. Louis and the wonderful professors I’ve encountered, along with the quality counseling and education I received.”
Keith Womer, dean of the university’s business college, said Schick sets an example for alumni and anyone working to educate the people of St. Louis.
“Peter’s love for the university is unconditional,” Womer said. “His willingness to help future generations of university students, just as he was helped, is unsurpassed.”
Schick encourages UM-St. Louis business graduates to get involved with the university.
“I think if our business students would reflect back on the great education they received at UM-St. Louis, they’d want to be every bit as involved as I have become,” he said. “I’m thankful every day for the university. UM-St. Louis was, for me, the only choice, and it turned out to be the best choice.”
© 2008 University of Missouri-St. Louis