Kalman Symposium 2026

Posts Tagged ‘Social Sciences and Management’

William Le

Unlocking Potential: The Case for Crypto Assets in the U.S. College Endowment Funds

Since 2017, crypto assets have emerged as a prominent and transformative financial
instrument globally. While major financial institutions such as BlackRock, Fidelity, and Franklin
Templeton have widely adopted these digital assets and legislation surrounding crypto holdings
has become increasingly clear, college endowment funds have remained hesitant to embrace
them. Known for their traditionally conservative investment strategies, most endowment funds
have yet to integrate crypto assets into their portfolios. To date, only a few prominent
institutions, such as Ivy League schools and Emory University, have included crypto assets in
their treasuries or invested in crypto projects as private equity.
However, this cautious approach began to shift in 2025, as endowment funds started to
seriously explore the potential of crypto assets. With their capacity to deliver high returns,
mitigate risks inherent in traditional markets, and diversify investment portfolios, crypto assets
align closely with the strategic goals of endowment funds. These goals include fostering
intergenerational equity and engaging with younger generations.
This paper will analyze the current state of college endowment fund assets, including key
investment considerations such as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors,
propose diverse strategies for integrating crypto assets, and highlight the potential benefits of
incorporating digital assets into college endowment fund portfolios.

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Da’Mirah Vinson

Environmental Degradation and Food Systems in Ghana: Gold Mining & Synthetic Pesticides

This research examines the relationship between environmental degradation and food systems in Ghana. While existing studies explore the effects of gold mining on farmers (Gilbert and Albert 2016; Agariga 2021; Kwang and Blagogie 2025), little attention has been given to how these impacts extend to market vendors and transporters. Even fewer studies analyze food and land through a sociocultural lens. My research addresses these gaps by asking: How do environmental degradation practices—specifically gold mining and chemical use—affect food production, distribution, and security in Ghana? And how does the decline of arable land reshape cultural food identity (Parasecoli 2014)? To explore these questions, I used qualitative interviews, policy analysis, and a review of existing scholarship. Over three months, I conducted 35 semi-structured interviews (20–60 minutes each) with small-scale farmers, cash crop farmers, and market vendors in Cape Coast, Agona, Kumasi, Obuasi, Busia, Tarkwa, Ho, and Mankessim. This approach centered local perspectives while capturing the broader structural context (Gyan and Mfoafo-M’Carthy 2021; Thow et al. 2021; Ahmed et al. 2021). Findings indicate that while mining has long been part of Ghanaian society, its mechanization under British colonial rule intensified environmental harm, disrupting food production and distribution and deepening food insecurity. Those in lower economic tiers—farmers, Indigenous miners, and non-mining community members—bear the greatest burdens. Chemical use reflects unequal access to quality inputs and pressures to maximize cash crop yields, degrading land and risking health. Participants also expressed concern over cultural loss as farmland diminishes, though some resist by revitalizing traditional agricultural practices.

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