Ryan Houck

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2006 Patricia and Harry L. Bruce Endowed Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Ryan Houck is a fourth year student at UCLA and will graduate in June 2007. He is a double major in Business Economics and Psychology with a minor in Accounting. After his second year, he worked with The Mercanti Group, a mergers and acquisitions firm in Santa Monica. He interned at Navigant Consulting in Los Angeles this past summer. In 2005, he received the Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship. In addition to his academics, he is Director of Consulting for UCLA’s Undergraduate Business Society and a member of Concerts Staff of the Campus Events Commission. Ryan is also a four-year member of UCLA’s club rugby team. He was born and raised in Fresno, where he attended Clovis West High School. Ryan was that school’s B’nai B’rith Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2003,, placing third in the state of California in high school wrestling.

Future Plans: Ryan thoroughly enjoyed both of his internships over the past two summers at The Mercanti Group (M & A) and then Navigant Consulting (Consulting), where he acquired invaluable “real world” work experience within two different fields. Upon graduation, Ryan plans to enter management consulting on a full-time basis. After a few years of work experience, he hopes to enter graduate school to earn an MBA before returning to his field.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: Receiving the Patricia and Harry L. Bruce Endowed Scholarship is one of the highlights of my academic career. I am deeply honored and grateful. The Scholarship award will relieve financial stress and allow me to focus on academics and community service during my fourth year at UCLA.

Lillian Hecht

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2006 Professor Harry Simons Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship for the Study of Accounting Recipient

Biography: Lillian Hecht is a third-year Business Economics student, with a Minor in Accounting. She has interned with Smith Barney and PricewaterhouseCoopers. She is currently a Resident Assistant in Hedrick Summit, and she loves to watch UCLA sports in her spare time, work on her car, and eat frozen yogurt.

Future Plans: Lilly hopes to graduate from UCLA this year. She would like to study and travel abroad in Europe over the summer. After that, she plans on working for PricewaterhouseCoopers as an auditor and eventually earn her CPA. Future ambitions may include earning her MBA or a law degree.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: Thank you so much for the Simons scholarship! It means so much to me that I will not have to worry about my finances this year. I am thankful to be able to attend UCLA, one of the greatest schools in the nation. This scholarship will help me reach my goals for the future.

Stephanie Cone

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2006 John J. Peterson Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Stephanie Cone, of Fillmore, California, is a junior Business Economics major at UCLA. She is a member of Alpha Delta Chi sorority, Campus Crusade for Christ, and the Regents Scholar Society. She also works as a marketing intern in the UCLA Athletics Department. She is a bright and joyful young woman who enjoys being with friends and cheering on the Bruins every chance that she gets.

Future Plans: Stephanie truly enjoys UCLA and all it has to offer. She will be going to Washington, D.C. in Winter Quarter 2007 with the Center for American Politics and Public Policy’s (CAPPP) Quarter in Washington Program. She will research and intern in the field of public opinion and voter behavior while in Washington,. Stephanie plans to pursue a career with a non-profit organization such as World Vision upon graduation,. She wishes to use her background in accounting, business, economics, and marketing to strengthen the global community.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: My family’s policy has always been that every child is responsible for putting themselves through college. Although it is not always an easy policy to live by, I have always respected it and it has taught me the true value of an education. I have been blessed enough to attend a university with alumni like Mr. John J. Peterson, Sr., who also understands the value of an education and wishes to help students like me with the associated costs. It is truly an honor to have been awarded this scholarship and I greatly appreciate the sacrifice that came in bestowing it. I strongly believe in using what God has given you to help others reach their full potential and Mr. Peterson has done just that for me. Thank you.

Andrew Baumgartner

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2006 Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Andrew Baumgartner is a fifth-year Mathematics/Economics major. He was born in May 1984 in Kentfield, California, grew up in San Rafael, and graduated from Marin Catholic College Preparatory in 2002. Andrew is a red-shirt senior on the UCLA football team and has been a member since his sophomore year. His favorite activities include playing sports, going to the beach, swimming, flying kites, and participating in triathlons.

Future Plans: Andrew’s future plans include working on Wall Street, going to business school, and eventually owning his own business. Investment banking, hedge funds, and portfolio management are all financial areas that interest him currently. He hopes to work for some time in all three to discover what he really loves.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I am very grateful to win this award because it gives me the ability to pay for the rest of my schooling without help from my parents. Between this scholarship and my student loans, I have enough to cover the remainder of my time at UCLA. Without the Robert D. and Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship, I would not be able to play football this year, and for that alone I extremely fortunate to have won this prestigious award. Besides the financial benefits this grant has given me, the Wark Scholarship is also a tremendous honor to win because it is an award that rewards hard work in the classroom.

Nafis Atiqullah

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2006 The Ralph and Shirley Shapiro Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Nafis Atiqullah is in his fourth year at UCLA, where he is a Regents Scholar and Robert Byrd Scholar. He is majoring in Business Economics and minoring in Accounting. In preparation for a career in finance, Nafis has held numerous internships, including Merrill Lynch’s Private Banking and Investment Group, and Investment Banking Division while maintaning a full course load and a 4.0 GPA in the Minor in Accounting. Nafis was a Summer Analyst in the Private Wealth Management group at Goldman Sachs in Los Angeles in summer 2005. and for the Technology, Media & Telecom investment banking group of Goldman Sachs in New York this past summer.

Future Plans: On campus, Nafis has served as a research assistant for Professors Lustig and Reber, and was 2005-2006 Grant Director for the Community Service Commission. Nafis plans to undertake an Honors thesis in Economics during his senior year, as well as to explore teaching a student-initiated seminar under the USIE program. Post-graduation, Nafis plans to pursue a career in finance and would like to eventually attend business school. He is especially interested in the intersection between the public and private capital markets, as well as the potential for microfinance to give low-income citizens in developing countries greater access to capital and entrepreneurship opportunities.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I am extremely honored to be the 2006-2007 recipient of the Ralph and Shirley Shapiro Scholarship. The Scholarship will afford me the financial flexibility to fully concentrate on researching my Honors thesis as well as to prepare a student-initiated seminar. The Scholarship’s emphasis on accounting is especially fitting as I have found UCLA’s academic training in accounting, in addition to the foundation in economics, to be absolutely indispensable throughout my work experience. I am sure that I will utilize the skills taught by the undergraduate accounting program – understanding companies’ operations, capital structures, and overall “story” – throughout my career.

Joseph Lei

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2007 The Donald Edward Bragg & Diane Sims Bragg Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Mr. Lei was born in Chicago and moved to California when he was three. He entered UCLA as a Computer Science/Electrical Engineering major, but after his first entrepreneurial experience on eBay, he decided to change his major to Business Economics. Ever since then, he has found that business is his true calling, from selling items online to starting and running businesses that provide creative solutions for customers. While Joseph is currently a full time student, he also works as the Founder and CEO of Campus Suits, a company he started that markets professional business attire to college students. Joseph also serves as the Co-Chair of Entrepreneurship with the Asian Professional Exchange (APEX) and sits on the Board of Directors of the Entrepreneur Mentor Society (EMS), a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop and encourage entrepreneurship in all its forms.

Future Plans: After graduation, Joseph plans to continue working part-time with Campus Suits to help expand the business to college campuses across the nation while at the same time pursuing a career in business and intra/entrepreneurship. Joseph plans to travel to Asia and Europe to develop a worldwide perspective and to use that understanding to build responsible businesses that improve lives. Although uncertain in which field he will pursue his career, Joseph has interests in private equity and finance, mergers and acquisitions.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I am honored to have received this scholarship and will be using it to help cover educational expenses for this coming year. As this year approaches as a trial by fire for Campus Suits, this scholarship will enable me to focus on my studies and provide cash flow support so profits may be reinvested for growth rather than withdrawn to help pay for educational expenses. Receiving this scholarship has made me more aware of others’ belief in me and the expectations of those around me. By receiving this scholarship I hope to continue expanding my horizons through education as well as gaining experience in the business world. These opportunities will enable me to strengthen my weaknesses and develop a solid foundation with which to enter the business world and ultimately give back to this community which has been so supportive of students such as me, thank you.

Nahuel Costilla

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2007 John J. Peterson Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Nahuel Pedro Costilla was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the age of six, he came to the United States with his family. He attended elementary, middle and high school in the San Fernando Valley and, after completing his general education at Los Angeles Valley College, transferred to UCLA. Currently in his senior year, he is majoring in Business Economics and Psychology—to pursue his interest in business along with his curiosity of people—and minoring in Accounting—to provide a technical foundation for his entry into the corporate world. Nahuel is part of the Council of Student Members for Golden Key International Honour Society and a Vice President of the Society’s local chapter at UCLA. He has also been active in the Academic Advancement Program (AAP) at UCLA as both a tutor and tutee and expects to continue doing so into the coming year. In his spare time, Nahuel enjoys playing soccer, reveling in nature and experiencing the novelties of life.

Future Plans: Nahuel plans to graduate from UCLA in the spring of 2008. He then expects to begin working for either an Accounting or Consulting company. After a number of years, Nahuel expects to return to school to pursue his MBA and, once he has received it, plans to use it to leverage his entry into a management position in a private company.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: Thanks to the John J. Peterson scholarship, I will be able to continue my education without having to worry so much about how I will pay for my tuition each quarter. I appreciate the opportunity that’s been given to me and I am committed to make full use of it.

Rebecca Bloom

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2007 The Ralph and Shirley Shapiro Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Becky Bloom, a Senior Business Economics major, is very grateful to Mr. & Mrs. Ralph & Shirley Shapiro for their generous support. While at UCLA, she works as an accounting associate for Robert D. Geringer, an attorney and real estate developer in Beverly Hills, on development projects throughout the United States. Originally from Seattle, Washington, she spent time after high school traveling with the Jazz Tap Ensemble and continues to teach classes in and around Los Angeles while pursuing her degree at UCLA. When not working or studying, she spends time with her wonderful husband, Greg.

Future Plans: Becky plans to pursue graduate work in Economics or Finance, and hopes to spend time during her senior year at UCLA pursuing some of her research interests in those fields. She would also like to pursue her CPA license.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: As a student putting myself through college while working, this scholarship is a huge blessing, both financially and emotionally. It is a great feeling to know that my hard work and academic goals are supported by Mr. & Mrs. Shapiro and UCLA, and I look forward to the year to come.

Lauren Beale

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2007 Professor Harry Simons Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship for the Study of Accounting Recipient

Biography: Lauren Beale is a third-year Business Economics major and Accounting minor student. She has been fortunate to work under several of the distinguished accounting faculty at the Anderson Graduate School of Management, including work on a directed research project. Lauren also works as a peer counselor for the Undergraduate Accounting Program and is an officer of the Student Accounting Society. This year, she will be pursuing a summer internship with a public accounting firm, alongside her peers in the Class of 2009. Her hobbies include reading classic literature, traveling, and playing classical piano.

Future Plans: In the next two years, Lauren intends to finish the College Honors program and complete a thesis project for the Economics Departmental Honors program. After graduation, she plans to earn her CPA license, gain work experience with a public accounting firm, and pursue a Masters of Business Administration. She also hopes to spend time traveling to broaden her cultural horizons.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I would like to take this opportunity to thank the donors of the Professor Harry Simons Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship for understanding that their contributions not only ease financial burdens but renew in students the faith that their achievements, academic integrity, and determination can be rewarded. Personally, the most gratifying aspect of receiving this award is the knowledge that someone has confidence enough in me to see me through the remainder of my college career. With the stress of paying bills alleviated, I am motivated to take on new academic and extracurricular pursuits that will cultivate the skills I need to accomplish my goals. I would also like to thank the UCLA Department of Economics for making such opportunities available and maintaining a standard of excellence that primes UCLA graduates to be successful and respected members of their communities.

Daniel Agalsoff

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2007 John J. Peterson Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Daniel Agalsoff, of Hacienda Heights, California, is a fourth year Business Economics major and Political Science minor pursuing College Honors. He has already had exposure to the fields of investment banking and public accounting through his internship experiences. He was part of a highly successful Mock Trial team for four years, and has conducted award winning research on the public policy issues surrounding the Central Valley Irrigation Project. He has also received countless awards for his service and leadership. In addition, Daniel was a three-sport athlete in high school. He wrestled and played baseball and water polo. He excelled in each of these sports, particularly in water polo. He was named All-League Varsity for three consecutive years and was also named as the Captain and MVP of his varsity team, leading them to the CIF Southern Section playoffs. While in college, he has continued to maintain his passion and involvement in aquatic sports. He attributes his athletic involvement as a crucial factor in his success as it has enabled him to develop a great talent for time management and instilled in him the value of teamwork.

Future Plans: In terms of Daniel’s personal career aspirations, his goal is to build a strong foundation in the business world and then to utilize his business acumen in order to help humanity. With a background in accounting and finance, his eventual plan is to work for a venture capital fund which raises capital for upstart biotechnology companies. He believes that there is tremendous potential for biotechnological innovations to improve and save lives. The work of Amgen demonstrates the enormous potential of innovative human therapeutics. However, he says that we need to see more upstart biotech companies contributing to this sphere of research, as these smaller biotech shops will be able to focus on developing therapeutics to fight less common, but equally devastating diseases. And he says that this is where biotechnological therapeutics are needed most. Biotechnological treatment offers the most promise in developing targeted “silver bullet” cures for the worst maladies that exist, and hence Daniel believes that we need to remain steadfast in pursuing such biotechnological research.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: The UCLA Department of Economics Scholarship Fund is investing in the future of individuals who are dedicated to driving change in our world. I am very proud and grateful to be a recipient of the John J. Peterson Scholarship. This award is a tremendous blessing for me as I remain committed to funding my own education independently of parental financial support. It has been a challenge to carry a full course load and to work hard to put myself through school. However, I believe it has built character and instilled in me a greater appreciation for my education. This scholarship will allow me to focus more time on achieving my intellectual and extracurricular pursuits. This scholarship is a gift that keeps on giving; not only will it ease my financial burdens, but it is an inspiring vote of confidence that tells me, “We believe that you can achieve and that you have a great potential to make this world a better place….” I am grateful for Mr. John J. Peterson, Sr.’s commitment to advancing the futures of students who are firmly devoted to making an extraordinary impact in our world.