MBA Alum Establishes Scholarship

More Information Funding Your Education Career Development Eller MBA Alumni Community

Edward Long ('94) returns the favor.

Last year, Eller MBA alum Edward Long (’94) decided to give back to his alma mater by establishing an MBA scholarship. “The university was generous to me,” he says. Long worked as a graduate teaching assistant during his time at Eller, and used the MBA program as a springboard to change careers.

This is the second year that Long’s scholarship fund has benefitted Eller MBAs, but funding is only one way he helps out – he also talks to students when possible to offer career advice and a bit of Wall Street wisdom. “I can offer general guidance and explain how the industry works,” he says. “I can also help them think of unconventional ways of getting into this business.”

That was the challenge facing Rich Rochelle (MBA ’07) during his last year in school. “At the time, I was having very little success with my applications to investment firms and, even though my resolve to find a job in the field was strong, there’s no denying that it was a bit discouraging,” he says. “Then I found out that part of my scholarship gift came from Mr. Long and I was just thrilled. It really lifted my spirits to have a direct contact with someone in the industry who had been through the same experience.”

Rochelle contacted Long, and the two set up a time to talk. “He asked me which area I wanted to be in, and I did not have a good answer at the time,” says Rochelle. “That pushed me to research more and narrow my focus.” Now Rochelle is a compliance analyst with PIMCO. “A few months into my new job, I even got a message from Ed on the Bloomberg,” he says. “He had looked me up just to ask how things were going!”

 
To learn more, contact us.