2018 Robert D. and Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Qingyi Wang is a second year business economics student at UCLA, intending to double major in cognitive science. Originally from Beijing, China, he thoroughly enjoyed studying in Los Angeles and bathing in the warm sunlight. He previously interned in a Chinese fund management company, where he saw the process of investment first-hand. During his time in UCLA, he took economics and accounting courses to expand his knowledge about careers in the business world. But much of the learning happens outside of the classrooms as well. Using his economic knowledge, he studied the pricing of eBay auctions, and tried to explain the price fluctuations with economic principles. A member of two choral ensembles, he is often heard singing in Schoenberg Music Building or Haines Hall in the afternoon hours. He also enjoys exploring the city with his camera, letting his creative thoughts run wild.

Future plans: Still open to endless possibilities regarding future careers, Qingyi Wang plans to use Spring quarter and the entire Summer to continue exploring. He will apply for a research assistant position at Anderson Behavioral Lab during the school year to gain some research experience on consumer behaviors. In the future, he will actively seek out internships in business service firms and in positions that puts both his economic and psychological knowledge into use.

What this scholarship means to me?: I am extremely honored and grateful to be selected as the Robert D. and Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship recipient for this academic year. The Wark family’s generous support for my education not only serves as a validation for my work, but also a relief to the financial burden placed upon me and my family while I am enrolled as an out-of-state student. This scholarship award serves as an ever-present motivator for me to give my absolute best in any academic and professional pursuit. One day, I aspire to give the same kind of encouragement to other students.

2018 Venu and Ana Kotamraju Endowed Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Brittany Wang is a senior at UCLA pursuing a degree in Business Economics, with minors in Accounting and Global Studies. Brittany is interested in the effects of globalization on international business and has interned at an ecommerce start up called Digizone Technology Corporation. Additionally, she has completed an internship at a Big 4 Accounting firm, KPMG. Throughout her time at UCLA, she’s worked as a student event clerk at the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and participated in student organizations as the Financial Vice President of Gamma Phi Beta and logistics committee member for Relay For Life. During her free time, she enjoys exploring Los Angeles, practicing yoga, and studying screenwriting.

Future Plans: Having completed an audit internship at KPMG the summer before her senior year, Brittany Wang will return to KPMG after graduation as an associate in their Deal Advisory practice in downtown Los Angeles. She’ll participate in a rotational program specializing in financial due diligence and accounting advisory services in mergers and acquisitions.  She plans on studying and obtaining her CPA within the next couple of years. Eventually, she hopes to pursue an MBA, after gaining crucial work experience with various clients from different industries.

What does this scholarship mean to me?: I am thrilled to be selected for the Venu and Ana Kotamraju Scholarship. It is incredibly fulfilling to be rewarded for my accomplishments by the Economics department and I’m truly honored to be presented with this opportunity. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for Mr. and Mrs. Kotamraju’s generosity. I look forward to ending my time at UCLA with enthusiasm and hope that I will be in a position in the future that I can generously give back to my school, as Mr. and Mrs. Kotamraju has so graciously done.

2018 Gumbiner Savett Inc. Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Winny is a fourth year international student from Indonesia. Prior to UCLA, she studied in Singapore, where her interest in Economics started to develop. At UCLA, she is majoring in Business Economics and minoring in Digital Humanities. Interested in the cross-section between business and social change, Winny served as President of 180 Degrees Consulting on campus and was selected for the Social Enterprise Academy in her junior year. In her free time, Winny enjoys volunteering, dancing, going to escape rooms, and exploring national parks.

Future Plans: Keen to learn essential business management skills, Winny intends to pursue a career in management consulting. Upon graduation, she will be returning to Bain & Company in Indonesia, where she interned last summer.

What this scholarship means to me?: It is with enormous gratitude that I receive the Gumbiner Savett scholarship. This scholarship is a hallmark of the generosity of donors who believe in young Bruins and encourage them to make a difference as future leaders of the world. I am humbled by this acknowledgement of my past and potential achievements. As my graduation draws near, this scholarship is also a reminder of the abundant resources that UCLA has provided me with over the past four years. I am truly grateful, and I hope to one day pay it forward to future Bruins.

2018 Donald Edward Bragg & Diane Sims Bragg Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Clarice Liu is a junior double majoring in Business Economics and Financial Actuarial Mathematics. Born and raised in Guangdong, China, she studied in Singapore for five years before coming to UCLA. At UCLA, Clarice explored different career paths in finance through her involvement in business clubs such as 180 Degrees Consulting, Bruin Women in Business and Bruin Hedge Fund. She has also enjoyed the flexibility in the curriculum at UCLA by taking a wide range of classes under different departments. In her free time, Clarice enjoys traveling, fishing, cooking and reading.

Future Plans: Having found her passion in investment banking, Clarice will be interning at Perella Weinberg Partners in the Los Angeles office this upcoming summer. She hopes to gain more industry experience through on-the-job training upon graduation, and eventually take on a bigger role in helping a few companies to grow.

What this scholarship means to me?: I am deeply grateful to the Bragg family for their generosity and support. The financial assistance provided by this scholarship will allow me to invest more of my time in studying, community service and developing new interests outside of school. I will continue to challenge myself and give back to the community in every possible way.

2018 Harold R. Mortenson Endowed Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Kirk Lam is currently a junior at UCLA double majoring in Business Economics and Statistics. He was born and raised in Hong Kong. At UCLA, Kirk is the president of Bruin Value Investing, a finance organization that manages a real-money fund, and he is also involved in Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity. He has completed internship in investment banking, private equity and business development. In his free time, Kirk enjoys soccer, reading and traveling to new places.

Future Plans: Kirk plans to pursue a career in investment banking. This summer, he will be interning at Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s investment banking division in Los Angeles. Through his internship, Kirk hopes to gain invaluable knowledge and skills that will help him succeed in the financial industry.

What does this scholarship mean to me?: I am extremely grateful and honored to receive the Harold R. Mortenson Endowed Scholarship Fund Award. I would like to thank Mr. Mortenson, the Scholarship Donors and the Economics Department very much. Their generosity and dedication to help out UCLA students is very much appreciated. I plan to use the scholarship to assist with my educational expenses.