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The Greg & Cindy Lai Undergraduate Student Award
THE GREG & CINDY LAI UNDERGRADUATE AWARD
In 2018, alumni Greg, MBA ‘88 and Cindy, ‘92 Lai created the endowed scholarship, The Greg & Cindy Lai Undergraduate Student Award at The Paul Merage School of Business. This scholarship is awarded to a full-time undergradute student who is pursuing a degree in Business Administration.
Tiffany Wong 2020-2021 Greg & Cindy Lai Undergraduate Student Award Recipient Impact Statement
When I began at The Paul Merage School of Business, I jumped straight in to seek as many resources as possible to develop both personally and professionally. Joining the Merage Undergraduate Student Association (MUSA) my first quarter was a great opportunity to meet my highly driven peers. I became an ambassador that people looked to, and through MUSA, I have learned that a leader does not have to be a designated spokesperson. Keen to continually challenge myself, joining Lambda Phi Nu, a business leadership fraternity, gave me the opportunity to be the leader I never thought I could be. I’m grateful for the Merage School community and the opportunities I’ve had which have shaped me into who I am today.
Upon graduation, I hope to work in public accounting, specifically at one of the ‘Big 4’ accounting firms. Growing up, my mom was in accounting and I was always intrigued with her line of work. Fascinated with numbers at an early age, I still wanted to achieve the goal my mom was never able to, become CPA. By the time I entered college, I was determine to enter the accounting field. Encouraged by board members of Beta Alpha Psi and the Accounting Association, I decided to apply to be a mentee for the Accounting Association Leadership Development Program.
Although experience is not in my favor yet, one thing I do have as an eager, twenty-year old is time. Every day is a learning opportunity, and I hope that whatever path I take will ultimately shape me into a better individual.
TIFFANY WONG
When I was deciding among colleges to attend my senior year of high school, The Paul Merage School of Business strongly stood out to me. As a goal-orientated person, I knew I wanted to major in Business Administration, and I created a four-year plan in high school to do just that. Being from California, attending a UC was the best choice for my family financially and for myself academically. Having family who live in Orange County and who have attended UC Irvine for their MBA’s, I made it a goal to get accepted into the competitive Business Administration program here, and I was filled with joy when I got my acceptance letter.
Fast forward a couple years, as a current third year Business Administration major, specifically studying accounting and finance, the Merage School has provided me with not only a wide range of resources to help with my professional development, but it has also become my home away from home. Growing up in the Bay Area, I had a strong yearning to move to Southern California. Initially intimidated by this new environment, I was welcomed with open arms from peers and staff. Without the support of this community around me, I would not have accomplished as much as I have so far.
Being awarded this scholarship means a lot. As an eager freshman a few years back, all I ever wanted in college was to develop myself personally and professionally, and most importantly, give back and be a leader for younger peers. Receiving an award from esteemed individuals like you is a testament to the hard work I have put into improving the business community during my time here.
I hope we can get the chance to speak soon and one day meet each other in person. In the future, I hope that I will be able to help students reach their goals in higher education by assisting them the same way you both are helping me. Once again, thank you so much for your generosity.
Sincerely, Tiffany Dear Greg and Cindy Lai,
I am sincerely honored to have been selected as the recipient of The Greg and Cindy Lai Undergraduate Student Award for the 2020-2021 academic year. Thank you for your generosity and willingness to give back to undergraduate students.
JOHN KIM
How did The Greg and Cindy Lai Undergraduate Award change your career path?
The Greg and Cindy Lai Undergraduate Award provided me the financial support needed to pursue my interests at the Merage School. Coming from a low socioeconomic background, I was working two part-time jobs in addition to being a full-time student. This limited me from pursuing the extracurricular activities that I was interested in and exploring new opportunities. Knowing that I was receiving financial support from this scholarship, I was able to take a step back from my part-time jobs and commit to what I was passionate about. Throughout the remainder of my second year, I cofounded the first human resources specific organization at UCI (Human Resources Management Association @ UCI) and the Bridge-to-Success program. HRMA provides students who are passionate about the field of human resources with a community and network of opportunities. The Bridge-toSuccess program provides resources, mentorship, and a space for first-generation and transfer students. While I committed myself to these efforts, I realized that making an impact was something that I cared about, and I wanted to pursue a career in human resources.
How did the Merage School help you achieve your goals?
The Merage School gave me opportunities to pursue my passions through many great resources. The BA Career Center, great faculty, and student organizations all contributed to my academic/professional journey in achieving my goals throughout my three years thus far.
Tell us about your background before you became a student at the Merage School?
I’m a first-generation college student from South Korea, coming from a low-socioeconomic background. Growing up as a Boy Scout and with a strong belief in the merit of hardwork, I was raised to be a person who has values, such as integrity. All of my experiences contributed to becoming the person I am today, one who is passionate about giving back and providing a positive impact for the community.
How has this award impacted your experience at the Merage School?
This award has impacted my experience at the Merage School through the opportunities to give back to the community. Through the lifted financial burden that came with the award, I was able to commit my time with different opportunities such as becoming a part of the Merage Undergraduate Student Association (MUSA), founding the first human resources business organization at UCI, and dedicating a large portion of my time honing my professional skills (I received an internship at Amazon for summer 2020). Above all, it made me realize that the Merage School is truly a great place for opportunities and resources that foster growth and development in its students.
What opportunities are you most grateful for?
I’m most grateful that I was able to serve the Merage School community through my time in MUSA, which serves as the undergraduate student government. This past year, I served as the Vice President of Internal Relations, where I was able to spearhead the MUSA Reps program. This program is one that directly caters toward the growth and development of incoming first year students. Having the opportunity to directly impact their lives, especially in this unfamiliar college environment, allowed me to create a space for these freshmen where they have access to a network and environment that fosters success. I truly am appreciative of being given the opportunity to serve our student body and bring about positive change to others.
As of 2020, The Greg & Cindy Lai Undergraduate Student Award endowment is valued at $59,294. Once the endowed fund minimum of $100,000 is fulfilled, the annual scholarship award will be approximately $4,500. Because of the Dean’s commitment to our generous donors, the Merage School will fully fund The Greg & Cindy Lai Undergraduate Student Award until the completion of the endowment in 2023.
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Projected Growth With Pledged Dollars
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