Tek Ngai Wong

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2009 The Ralph and Shirley Shapiro Scholarship Recipient

Biography: As an international student originally from Macau, Tek Ngai Wong was raised there until the age of seventeen. He decided to come to the States because of its accredited education. After spending two years at De Anza College, he successfully transferred to UCLA with a major in Business Economics and Minor in Accounting. He has maintained a 3.9+ GPA and serves as a financial director of the Hong Kong Student Society at UCLA. Tek enjoys dealing with people and sharpening his soft skills. During his free time, he also enjoys working out at the gym, playing basketball, soccer and spending time with his friends.

Future Plans: After some years in the United States, Tek plans to obtain his master’s degree in financial mathematics or accounting in the United Kingdom. Tek would also like to get his CPA and CFA a few years later since it will equip him with sufficient knowledge to develop his career in casinos and to be a financial analyst or controller in Macau.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I am very proud and grateful to be the recipient of the Ralph and Shirley Shapiro Scholarship for the 2009- 2010 academic year. I really thank them for this prestigious award. Besides easing my financial burdens, it gives me the great resource to broaden my cultural horizons in my last year of college. I also want to take this chance to thank Mr. & Mrs. Shapiro and the Economics Department for providing this opportunity. I will make the best use of it.

Chase Turay

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2009 Jeffrey W. Baus ’59 Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Chase Turay grew up in Pleasanton, California, a suburb located 40 miles east of San Francisco. He had a full plate of extracurricular activities throughout his pre-college days as a high school football player, leadership student, and student body president. His workload hasn’t changed much since coming to UCLA. He looks forward to working as a director in the Undergraduate Business Society in his senior year, a volunteer tutor in the Watts Tutorial Program, a member of the UCLA Men’s rugby team and active member in his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

Future Plans: Chase has accepted an offer from Deloitte & Touche’s Audit Department, after completing a summer internship with the firm, and will begin working full-time with the company in September, 2010. After starting his career with Deloitte and Touche, Chase hopes to one day step away from Corporate America and become a high school teacher so he can make a positive impact on the young minds of this world. He also hopes to fulfill his lifetime goal of being a head high school football coach in Northern California.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: This scholarship has granted me the financial freedom to pursue the avenues of my life that I am passionate about. With this scholarship, I am able to volunteer in the Watts Tutorial Program and play rugby for the UCLA rugby team. The scholarship has allowed me the privilege of working fewer hours per week and, in turn, spending those hours engaged in the activities that I am truly passionate about. I am eternally grateful for that and hope that one day I will be able to give back to a similar cause. I am honored to have been selected the recipient of the Jeffrey W. Baus Scholarship.

Monica Stoner

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2009 Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Monica Stoner is a third-year Business Economics major and Accounting minor student. She has maintained a 3.8 G.P.A. throughout her two years at UCLA and is in the College Honors Program. She is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Societies. Monica is the Career Development Director this year for the Undergraduate Business Society. She is a member of Chi Omega Sorority and holds the position of Career and Personal Development Chair. She participated in the UCLA Travel Study program this past summer under the International Taxation and International Business Law Program in Paris and Brussels. She also attended several sophomore summer leadership conferences at accounting firms. In her spare time she enjoys running, traveling, baking, and watching Law and Order.

Future Plans: Monica plans to recruit with accounting firms for an internship this upcoming summer. She plans to graduate early in Fall Quarter 2010. She aspires to work in public accounting and plans to earn her CPA license after graduation. She is so excited to attend UCLA football games as a proud alumnus and to cheer for her fellow Bruins.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I would like to take this opportunity to thank the donors of the Robert and Margaret Wark Memorial Scholarship. I am proud and grateful to be the recipient of this scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year. I would like to thank the donors for recognizing students for their academic and personal successes. This scholarship will help ease the financial burden of my education at UCLA and allow me to focus more on my studies and extracurricular activities. I hope to one day support students in a similar way by providing financial assistance for their education. I am deeply honored to receive this supportive scholarship and I am motivated to accomplish more prestigious endeavors in my future.

Naytri Shroff

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2009 The Gumbiner Savett Inc. Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Naytri Shroff is a third year Business Economics major with a double minor in Global Studies & Accounting. Currently, Naytri balances her academic and extra-curricular activities while working as an Economics tutor through the Academic Advancement Program. She is the President of Bruin Consulting and also interns at the botique investment bank, Gemini Partners in Los Angeles. She also serves her fellow student body as a mentor in the AAP Career Advisory Network. While serving as Hedrick Summit’s Community Service Chair, she helped spearhead a quarterly benefit for hospitals in developing countries. In summer 2009, she studied the European Union’s economic development and governance with the UCLA Travel Study International Business Program in Paris and Brussels. In her spare time, Naytri enjoys hip-hop dance, snowboarding and international travel.

Future Plans: Currently, Naytri is pursuing a summer internship in the field of finance. She is looking to place at a top investment bank in the Los Angeles area. She hopes that the experience will progress into an opportunity to work full-time in finance after graduating in June 2011. In the future, Naytri is deciding between further work in finance or private equity as well as earning a Masters in Business Administration.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I am truly grateful and honored to receive the Gumbiner, Savett, Inc scholarship. This financial support will help tremendously as I continue to pay for college individually. Given these hard economic times and rising tuition costs, this scholarship will ease my financial burden and enable me to focus on my academic and extra-curricular commitments. It is a true motivation to work harder and strive further in my collegial pursuits. Thus, I will be able to help future UCLA students in the same manner. I am proud and thankful that UCLA has such wonderful support from donors such as Gumbiner, Savett, Inc.

Stanley Zel

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2010 The Boeing Company Scholarship in Economics Recipient

Biography: Stanley Zel is an international student from Hong Kong. He decided to study abroad after graduating from high school. Stanley developed interest in economics while studying at Diablo Valley College. He then transferred to UCLA to pursue the Business-Economics major, with a minor in Statistics. Stanley is currently working as a grader for several Management courses at the Anderson School of Management. He is also a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society. He enjoys playing soccer and traveling in his spare time.

Future Plans: Stanley is planning to pursue a career in the field of finance after graduation. He plans to take the CFA exams in the
near future to better equip him for his career. Stanley aspires to become a financial analyst.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I would like to thank the Boeing Company and the support from my family. The Boeing Company Scholarship in Economics not only helps me and my family financially but also is recognition of my hard work at UCLA. I will make best use of the scholarship to broaden my horizons, and also spend more time exploring the United States during my last year at UCLA.

Binbin Xing

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2010 Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Binbin Xing is a fourth-year student pursuing a double major in Mathematics Applied Science – Actuarial Science and Business-Economics, with a Minor in Accounting. Outside of her academic studies, she has committed a large portion of her time to extracurricular and professional activities. As the president of the UCLA Bruin Actuarial Society, she works alongside a team of motivated officers to promote and mentor fellow UCLA students. These students are interested in the actuarial profession, both in the consulting and insurance industries. One of her goals as the President of the organization is to publicize and extend the actuarial profession to students outside of the mathematics majors. In her spare time, Binbin enjoys being a Student Ambassador for The 1990 Institute, a non-profit organization serving to alleviate poverty and lack of self-sustenance in parts of rural China through means of microfinance. She is also an active member of the Chinese Cultural Dance Club on campus.

Future Plans: Binbin plans for a future career in actuarial consulting, a field that calls for both a solid foundation in mathematics as well as a developed intuition for business. This summer, Binbin interned with Towers Watson in Century City as a Summer Analyst in retirement actuarial services. She hopes to return to school for a Masters degree in either applied mathematics or statistics within the next five years.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I am truly honored and grateful to be named a recipient of the Robert D. and Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship for this year. It is truly rewarding to see that my past achievements and academic pursuits have been recognized. This scholarship will not only allow me to continue my studies in this field but will further encourage me to share this rewarding career path and unique academic experience with other aspiring business professionals. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Wark Family for their generous support.

Mateen Safaie

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2010 John J. Peterson Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Mateen Safaie is a fourth-year Business-Economics student from Agoura Hills, California. After graduating from Agoura High School in 2007, Mateen attended Moorpark College for two years before transferring to UCLA. His primary academic interest is to study the feasibility and effectiveness of microcredit ventures in rural areas of developing nations. Outside of the classroom, Mateen is a board member for the Baha’i Association at UCLA and involved with the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program. He is also a resident assistant for the Rieber Terrace on-campus housing community.

Future Plans: As Mateen enters his final year at UCLA, he hopes to pursue research in the area of microfinance. After he completes his degree in Business-Economics, he plans to attend law school. He wishes to utilize a legal education focused on international business law. He hopes to establish and sustain a non-profit organization that encourages socioeconomic development projects in rural areas, which safeguards the commercial interests of developing nations in international trade agreements.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I am honored to receive the John J. Peterson Scholarship for the 2010-2011 academic year. The financial award of the scholarship will allow me to focus more of my time and energy on pursuing academic and extracurricular passions. Particularly, it will allow me to be more engaged in the research I hope to undertake in the coming year. Furthermore, the academic recognition that the scholarship entails motivates me to pursue greater degrees of excellence in my studies. I thank John J. Peterson very much for this honor and scholarship.

Isaac Rose

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2010 The Donald Edward Bragg & Diane Sims Bragg Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Isaac Rose is a fourth -year student pursuing the Economics major, with a Minor in Public Policy. During summer 2010, he served as a Business Analyst Summer Intern at ZS Associates. He worked on a case with a major pharmaceutical client to understand the buying process for a particular disease. In summer 2009, he interned with the majority party at the U.S. House of Representative Financial Services Committee in Washington D.C. He worked on policy issues ranging from the new roles of the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department to the international bankruptcy proceedings of Lehman Brothers. Isaac is involved in various activities outside of his academic studies at UCLA, which include being the chairman of both the Wooden Center Board of Governors and the Undergraduate Students Association Finance Committee. He is also actively involved in Bruin Consulting, Dance Marathon, and playing IM dodge ball and soccer. In his free time, Isaac enjoys skiing, reading the New York Times, and talking with interesting people.

Future Plans: Isaac’s future plans are to work for the public good in whatever fashion that may take place. Upon graduating from UCLA, he is interested in a career in strategy or management consulting. Several years down the road, Isaac would like to pursue a Masters in Business Administration.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I am grateful and honored to be the recipient of The Donald Edward Bragg & Diane Sims Bragg Scholarship. The family’s commitment and dedication to the UCLA Economics Department is commendable. I am personally grateful for the financial assistance the family is providing me this year. One of the greatest assets of this country is the spectacular higher education system. Through scholarships like The Donald Edward Bragg & Diane Sims Bragg Scholarship, more students are given access to learn and expand their minds at this fine institution. Making the decision to attend UCLA has been one of the best decisions of my life. This scholarship is truly allowing me, and all the past recipients of this award, to take full advantage of all the great resources this university has to offer. I am proud that UCLA has such wonderful and generous donors like the Bragg family.

Nick Rasines

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2010 The Donald Edward Bragg & Diane Sims Bragg Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Nick Rasines is a fourth-year Business-Economics Student from McKinleyville, California, a small town on the coast near the Oregon border. At McKinleyville High School, Nick excelled in the classroom and was also a decorated athlete in baseball and basketball. At UCLA, Nick has held internship positions at SBE Entertainment, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Ernst & Young LLP, and recently completed an internship at UBS Investment Bank in New York City. Nick is currently an Investment Banking Director of the Undergraduate Business Society and a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity.

Future Plans: This year, Nick is planning to complete his B.A. in Business-Economics. Upon graduation, Nick has accepted an offer to become an investment banking analyst at J.P.Morgan. After his time in investment banking, Nick is looking to work at a private equity firm and then go back to school to pursue his Masters in Business Administration. Nick is watching the actions of many of his mentors, including investment bankers and private equity executives, in order to better plan his career path to accomplish his career goals. Nick is eventually looking to become a CEO or founder and president of a firm.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I am truly honored to receive the Donald Edward Bragg & Diane Sims Bragg Scholarship for the 2010-11 school year. This scholarship is extremely important to me as recognition of my dedication to extracurricular activities and academic pursuits. More importantly, this scholarship lightens the financial burden placed upon myself and my family, and gives me further motivation to remain focused on my career goals. I want to sincerely thank Mr. Donald Edward Bragg and Mrs. Diane Sims Bragg for their support of my future educational endeavors.

Eva Mak

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2010 The Gumbiner Savett Inc. Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Eva Mak is a third year Business-Economics major, with a double minor in Accounting and Public Health. Originally from San Jose, California, Eva had the opportunity to intern this past summer in the Tax/Industry Services Group for PricewaterhouseCoopers in San Jose. In summer 2009, she studied abroad at King’s College, Cambridge, in England. She took courses in economics, history, and philosophy. Eva also had the opportunity to join the UCLA Travel Study program in Shanghai. She was able to learn more about business and development in China in 2008. While at UCLA, she has been involved as the Finance Director for Bruin Consulting, the Marketing Director for Net Impact Undergrad, a teaching assistant for Prof. Boss’ Mgmt 108 course on Business Law, a discussion leader for Education 92F, as well as an active member of the Alumni Scholars Club. In her free time, Eva enjoys reading, swimming, and watching the Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

Future Plans: Currently, Eva is focused on broadening her horizons by looking into other internship or job opportunities in accounting, finance, or consulting. She hopes to obtain her B.A. in Business- Economics within the next year. One of her aspirations is to eventually attend law school. She will be preparing for the LSAT this year and work on enhancing her UCLA experiences to prepare her for any graduate opportunities.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I feel absolutely honored to have received this year’s Gumbiner, Savett, Inc. Scholarship. This award has truly helped me in numerous ways. It takes off the burden of the student loan I would have had to obtain in order to continue my education at UCLA. With this award, I am able to shift my focus from financial worries to more academic and professional endeavors.