VICTORIA LONDON SCHOLARSHIP
Victoria London passed away in 2014 after a courageous battle with ALS. Victoria received her Master’s in Engineering and Business Administration at Columbia University and was the first woman ever admitted to Columbia’s Chemical Engineering Society, Phi Lambda Epsilon.
In 1974, Victoria moved to Key Biscayne and became part of the community. It is through her passion and generosity that future generations will pursue degrees and their own passions and, in doing so honor the incredible legacy of Victoria London.
Congratulations to the 2020-21 Recipients
Blake Garcia
Class of 2021
Hometown
Houston, Texas
Education
University of Texas at Austin | BA
What impact has this award made on your Columbia Business School experience so far?
This award has offered me the financial freedom to fully take advantage of my time at Columbis Business School. With this financial support, I was able to focus and achieve success in academics and recruiting without financial stress hanging over my head. I also feel empowered to participate in ten clubs, cluster events, and trips with my classmates. I would not have been able to be as active without this award. Looking beyond graduation, my reduced debt burden will help me enjoy the fruits of my hard work at Columbia Business School. I am deeply grateful to the donors for their generosity and look forward to giving back.
What did you enjoy most about your first year, and what you are looking forward to this year and postgraduation?
The first year of Columbia Business School was exhilarating. I can’t say enough about my colleagues, professors, and the support with recruiting that I received from second-year students. While I’m disappointed our time together physically was cut short, I feel bonded to my classmates and feel a deep sense of pride for Columbia Business School. To put it succinctly, what I enjoyed most was getting to know my classmates. I am constantly impressed by them and feel inspired by them to push myself to greater heights. While our time in person will be limited due to the pandemic, I look forward to continuing to build on the relationships that I cultivated last year and am excited to be a mentor to first-years as they navigate this turbulent time.
Kevin Roque
Class of 2021
Hometown
San Salvador, El Salvador
Education
St. John’s University | BS, Finance
What impact has this award made on your Columbia Business School experience so far?
This award helped shape the post-MBA role I will be taking and my experience at Columbia Business School. Coming to Columbia Business School, I was slightly worried I would be bound to pursuing post-MBA roles that paid well, instead of searching for roles that I found fulfilling or that aligned with my passions. This award allowed me the freedom to pursue the latter. Additionally, this award allowed me the financial freedom to partake in activities at CBS that have helped me develop close bonds with members in our community. I’m grateful for the opportunities this award has opened up, and feel like it helped me get the most out of my CBS experience.
What did you enjoy most about your first year, and what you are looking forward to this year and postgraduation?
My favorite memory from the past year was going on the class trip to Cancun. It was the first big trip we took at CBS and it offered me the opportunity to bond and create new friendships! This helped shape the rest of my year and experience at CBS. I made some of my closest friends during that trip. This year, I am really looking forward to being involved with the first years as a Career Management Center fellow, and taking classes based on personal interests. Post-graduation, I am looking forward to starting my full-time role at BCG.
Jane Somuah
Class of 2021
Hometown
Miami, Florida
Education
Barnard College | BA Economics
What impact has this award made on your Columbia Business School experience so far?
Thus far, this financial award has relieved my family and I, in unimaginable ways, of the financial costs associated with pursuing my advanced education. This scholarship enables me to attend Columbia Business School so I may pursue my ambitious career goals. I have been afforded the opportunity to better myself, further educate myself, and gain the skills needed to embark on what will hopefully be a long and successful business career. So far at CBS, I’ve been able to tailor my coursework to my career goals, network with brilliant classmates, and engage with the professors who are incredibly accomplished in their fields.
What did you enjoy most about your first year, and what you are looking forward to this year and postgraduation?
What I enjoyed most about last year was meeting and networking with a new group of students. I can honestly say I have made life-long friendships I truly appreciate and will continue to cherish long after I’ve graduated. At school I’ve made profound memories on trips, at social events, and even in lectures. My classmates have educated me just as much if not more than my professors, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn everyday from my peers. Although our time on campus was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, I was able to remain in touch with my classmates. Additionally, I was able to keep my summer internship offer and was also extended a full-time job offer, which I very much appreciate!