Tag Archive for: Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship

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.

2011 Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Jakob Thomas is an international student from Berlin, Germany who transferred to UCLA from Santa Monica College in Fall 2010. He is a 3rd year Economics major and Political Science minor. Before he decided to pursue an academic degree in the United States, Jakob spent 18 months working for KPMG Europe LLP, an experience, which gave him considerable insight into the world of corporate business. Equipped with this experience, and the skills he obtained through his work as research assistant for the UCLA Economics Department, he was able to secure an internship at the Los Angeles office of Senator Dianne Feinstein, and a position as senior editor for the Undergraduate Journal of Economics at UCLA ( HYPERLINK “http://www.undergraduatejournal.com” www.undergraduatejournal.com).

Future Plans: During this Fall 2011 quarter, Jakob will intern as a research analyst for the Milken Institute in Santa Monica, an independent economics and public policy think tank. There, he will work with the Institute’s financial markets research group. Shortly after completing his B.A. in Economics at UCLA, Jakob plans to move to England, where his initial goal will be to gather more professional experience working in London’s financial sector. Subsequently, he will pursue a Ph.D. at the London School of Economics (LSE) with a focus on international banking and international finance regulation.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: Receiving this year’s Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship award is a true honor. Especially in times of economic uncertainty and ever increasing costs of education, this scholarship is an invaluable help to master my respective financial difficulties. In true economist’s spirit, I can’t help to think that this scholarship also holds a value beyond its nominal one since it releases me of the burden of lingering debt, and the associated interest I would have faced with an equally high student loan amount. Furthermore, aside from the tremendous financial support associated with this scholarship, I also appreciate this award as a special form of recognition of the work I have been investing in my education. With these things in mind, I would like to extend my earnest gratitude and appreciation to the Wark Family for their generosity and support of my educational goals.

2012 Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Ulindra Vijaya is a fourth-year international student from Singapore who is pursuing the Business Economics major and the Minor in Accounting. She transferred from De Anza College in fall 2011. Ulindra started college at sixteen years old because she wanted to challenge herself in a new environment. In college, she was deeply encouraged by the International Students Fellowship’s mission to provide a “home” away from home for international students like herself, and, thus, volunteered as their Communications Officer. At UCLA, Ulindra was selected as a 2012 Sharpe Fellow and currently serves as the Internal Vice President for the Singapore Students Association. Ulindra interned at Luminous Capital in their Alternative Investments team this past summer. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, baking, and traveling.

Future Plans: After completing internships at Standard Chartered Bank and Luminous Capital, Ulindra, will be joining the Alternative Investments team at Luminous Capital as an analyst after graduation, where she will be focused on managing and conducting research for their private funds. In the future, she hopes to further her education by pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration or a Juris Doctor degree. She also hopes to open to a bakery later on down the road.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I am honored to receive a Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year. As student, tuition has risen in the last few years; this will help alleviate the financial burdens I face in completing my undergraduate education. I would like to especially thank the Wark Family for the scholarship and the Economics Department for the opportunity. The Wark Family’s generosity will support my educational goals and inspire me to do more for the community. I am humbled that the Wark Family has chosen to support students like myself for no reason other than their own kindness. Thank you!

2012 Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Kareem grew up in Downey, California. He played basketball and football in high school but ultimately decided to pursue an education at the prestigious UCLA. He initially started out as a pre-med student but eventually switched to Business Economics. Kareem has completed a private equity real estate internship at Bruin Capital, an investment banking internship at Imperial Capital, LLC, and a wealth management internship at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. He enjoys playing basketball, working out, and rooting for the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Lakers.

Future Plans: Kareem plans to pursue an investment banking internship this summer, where he will hope to secure a job offer. After two years in banking, he may decide to move on to private equity, a hedge fund, corporate development, or venture capital, with the option of simply staying in investment banking, as well, if he likes it enough. A long-term goal of his is to eventually start his own restaurant later in life when he has the time and capital necessary for it to succeed. He also plans to undoubtedly pursue investment opportunities in real estate on the side.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: The way this scholarship helps me is two-fold. First, it allows me to not have to work as many hours during the school year so that I can focus on my studies. Keeping my GPA high is important to me for securing a banking internship this summer as well as for possibly getting into a top MBA program down the road. Secondly, it allows me to not be burned out for my summer internship. This scholarship allows me to go into the summer internship well-rested, stress-free, and ready to absolutely kill it and secure that job offer. I would like to thank the Wark family from the bottom of my heart for their extreme generosity and dedication to my success. Their kindness is truly appreciated.

2013 Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Ariel Jao is a third-year student who is planning to complete her undergraduate degree in Economics with a Minor in Accounting. She is involved in campus organizations such as Delta Sigma Pi, Global Brigades: Business, as well as Unicamp. During her spare time, she enjoys playing volleyball, spending time with family and friends, and reading articles on the web. Currently, Ariel is interning with a Finance team at The Walt Disney Company in Burbank. Before graduating, she hopes to participate in a study abroad program such as EAP or Semester at Sea in order to broaden her culture and communication skills.

Future Plans: During the summer of her junior year, Ariel plans to find an internship in investment management or corporate finance. After graduating from UCLA, she hopes to move back home to San Francisco or to relocate to New York, where she can immerse herself in the world’s greatest financial district. Ariel plans to remain with a firm to gain exposure to all departments and until she feels ready for a change, which may be years down the line. Long-term, she hopes to get married, have kids and become a stay-at home mother. Hopefully, at one point in the far future, she can fulfill her childhood dream of being a high school counselor or teacher.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I am honored to be selected as the recipient for the Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship this year. I am thankful for the generosity and acknowledgement they bestow on UCLA students like me year after year. I have been given the opportunity to decrease a portion of the financial burden that has brought stress into my family. My mother is currently putting my two siblings and me through higher education in the UC system. I have always prioritized work as well as to my education because one could not be possible without the other. I now feel more comfortable clocking in less hours during finals and midterms and focusing on my studies.