2019-Andrew Chuma

Andrew CHuma

Major: Economics

Minor: Certificate of Financial Policy and Analysis

300 Word Statement

Lafayette College encourages its students to push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and always ask “why not?” Therefore, it is likely that the ‘Lafayette Ideal’ means something different for every member of our community. So, how do we quantify ‘ideal’ when it ought not be standardized? We redefine it. As I reflect on my time on College Hill, I have concluded that the Lafayette Ideal is the pursuit of passions, goals, and aspirations in a manner that transcends one’s time spent at Lafayette. For me, this has meant taking advantage of every opportunity and possibility that Lafayette has had to offer. During my time at Lafayette, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to compete at the highest level academically and athletically and to earn, among others, national recognition as an Academic All-American and Lafayette’s student-athlete of the year. I’ve been challenged intellectually as an Honors Thesis student and member of the Fed Challenge Team, Tech Clinic, and ODE honor society. I’ve been inspired both through my involvement in the Lafayette community as a Peer Mentor, SAAC representative, and Peer Tutor and through my commitment to service projects such as Project ALS and the Boys and Girls Club of Easton. I am continuously in awe of Lafayette’s alumni network, which has afforded me with opportunities as a professional to complete internships at Citibank, KPMG, and Vineyard Vines corporate. Above all, I’ve grown substantially as a person and member of the Lafayette community. Perhaps few will remember these accomplishments, but it is my hope that all will remember my unparalleled passion, commitment, and drive that I applied to each of these experiences. As I move forward with the Class of 2019, these qualities are what I leave behind in the hope that this approach is applied to however you define ideal. As I reflect on my time at Lafayette, I consider myself a representative of the Lafayette Ideal not because of my accomplishments, but because of my ability to pursue these accomplishments in a manner, which inspires others to strive for their version of what it means to be ideal.

Academic Activities/Awards – Total Years Involved

• Lafayette College Dean’s List (4)

Qualified for Dean’s List each semester at Lafayette and maintained a 3.96 cumulative GPA

• Economics Senior Honors Thesis (1)

Researched and presented an Economic Honors project. Thesis Topic: The Role of Corporate Communication Strategies used by Financial Institutions during the 2008 Financial Crisis. Thesis Committee: Professor Rosie Bukics (Economics), Professor Sheila Handy (Economics), and Professor Rob Root (Mathematics)

• Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Outstanding Senior Award (1)

Awarded annually to a graduating senior for excellence in accounting and participation in college and community affairs

• Omicron Delta Epsilon Honor Society – Alpha Delta Chapter (1)

Inducted (May 2018) and maintained active membership in the International Economics Honor Society

• Technology Clinic Team (1)

Participated as a member of the 2017 Tech Clinic team. Tech Clinic is a multi-disciplinary program in which teams of students and faculty advisors work together to create imaginative solutions to real-world problems for clients. The 2017 Tech Clinic team was charged with investigating the coherence of the vision for Bushkill Drive properties within the Lafayette College community. Tech Clinic clients: Roger Demareski (Lafayette College Vice President for Finance and Administration) & Dave Hopkins (City of Easton Director of Public Works)

• Federal Reserve Challenge Team (1)

Nominated by the Economics Department faculty to represent Lafayette College in the 2017 regional Fed Challenge competition (2nd place). Worked with a team of 8 students and faculty advisors to create a narrative and proposal for the Federal Reserve Board

• Lafayette College Department of Athletics Independent Study (1)

Worked with senior administrators in the Department of Athletics to create a research report. Topic: Analyzing the Role of Culture amongst Lafayette Varsity Athletic Programs

• Omicron Delta Epsilon 2019 Honors Research Conference (1)

Selected to present research and participate in Omicron Delta Epsilon 2019 Honors Research Conference held at Ursinus College

• Career Services Annual Fund Internship Gift (2)

Selected as a recipient of a summer stipend award – designed to provide financial assistance to Lafayette students for the pursuit of career aspirations

• Community Based Learning and Research (CBLR) Expo (1)

Participated in the CBLR Expo event. Presented results from the 2017 Tech Clinic report, which involved investigating the role of Bushkill Drive properties on community affairs

Campus Services/Activities and Awards – Total Years Involved

• Lafayette College Peer Mentor (3)

Selected as a member of Lafayette’s Academic Resource Hub Peer Mentor Program – designed to provide advisory services to first-year student-athletes from an academic, athletic, and social perspective

• Academic Resource Hub Peer Tutor (1)

Served as a tutor for Econ 319: Financial Theory. Held group tutoring sessions twice a week and assisted students with class content and curriculum

• Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) (3)

Nominated as a SAAC representative with a responsibility to enhance the student-athlete experience through academic, athletic, and community initiatives

• Investment Club (3)

Participated as a member of Lafayette’s Investment Club. Assisted with the management of $700,000 portfolio and organized, facilitated, and participated in Wall Street networking events and alumni panels

• Dyer Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Liaison (1)

Assisted with the development of new programming and the enhancement of campus-wide involvement and participation initiatives

• Oaks Leadership Academy (3)

Nominated as a participant in the Oaks Leadership Academy – workshops and seminars designed to develop leadership qualities and characteristics

• Career Services Externship Program (2)

Selected to participate in Lafayette’s Externship Program – job shadowing opportunities designed to connect students with alumni and assist with career planning. Externed at BHMS investments, a middle market private equity firm

• Monroe Neighborhood Community (Lafayette Learning Community) (1)

Participated as a resident of Monroe Neighborhood – a program designed to provide extracurricular educational opportunities for residents. Hosted, facilitated, and presented events as a member of “The Outdoors House”

• Economics Hiring Committee (1)

Selected to assist with evaluation of Economics Department candidates (Financial Accounting)

• Department of Athletics Alcohol Policy Review Committee (1)

Worked with a team of student-athletes, coaches, and administrators to comprehensively review and improve the department’s alcohol policy

Community Service – Total Years Involved

• Boys and Girls Club of Easton Outreach Program (2)

Served as Executive Director of Money Matters – A national B&GC program designed to teach youth about basic economic concepts and personal finance topics. Visited B&GC of Easton once a week and held tutoring sessions with 10-15 kids per class

• Be the Match Bone Marrow Drive (3)

Served as a volunteer and donor for the U.S. Bone Marrow Registry. Organized and recruited students across campus to participate and donate to the cause

• Karl Stirner Arts Trail (KSAT) Remediation Volunteer (1)

As a member of the 2017 Tech Clinic Team, participated in clean-up efforts along Bushkill Drive and the Karl Stirner Arts Trail in order to reduce pollution and damages to the KSAT ecosystem

• Citi Community Day (1)

As a part of my summer 2018 internship at Citi, participated in company-wide environmental remediation efforts in the greater NYC area

• Lafayette College / Boys and Girls Club of Easton “Leopard Training Day” (1)

Organized and facilitated activities between Lafayette College Football and Boys and Girls Club of Easton. Participated as a counselor and mentor for B&GC youth

• Safe Harbor (1)

Volunteered with the local food pantry to provide meals for underprivileged communities in the greater Easton area

• Read Across America National Literacy Day (2)

Volunteered as part of the National Education Association initiative. Visited public elementary schools in Easton and read books to and mentor students

• Project ALS Kirchhoff Challenge (4)

Participated in the annual Kirchhoff Challenge – a fundraiser to support ALS research in honor of Tom Kirchhoff ‘92

• Lafayette College Move-In Day / Freshman Orientation (4)

Volunteered to assist students and their families with move-in responsibilities and served as an orientation guide

• Lafayette College Football Youth Camp (1)

Served as a counselor for the annual football youth camp – designed to foster relationships between Lafayette College Athletics and the greater Easton community

Athletics Activity/Award – Total Years Involved

• Lafayette College Varsity Football (4)

Student-Athlete and Defensive End for the Lafayette College Varsity Football program. Four-year letter winner. Selected as a Lafayette Gold Standard student-athlete – held the top GPA on the team for four years

• Google Cloud CoSIDA Academic All-American First Team (1)

Selected as one of the nation’s top 25 student-athletes at the Division I level. Also selected as a top student-athlete in District II as a member of the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team

• National Football Foundation Campbell Trophy (1)

Nominated and selected as a semi-finalist for the NFF Campbell Trophy – presented annually to the nation’s top football scholar-athlete. Also selected as the NFF scholar-athlete of the day (3/14) presented by Fidelity

• Lafayette College Maroon Club 2019 Scholar-Athlete of the Year (1)

Awarded as Lafayette’s top male scholar-athlete. The award is presented annually and honors academic and athletic excellence as well as commitment to community service

• Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Athletic Directors Association (ADA) Academic All-Star Team (2)

Selected as a member of the 20th and 21st annual FCS ADA Academic All-Star Teams – honors the nation’s top football scholar-athletes at the FCS D1 level

• Patriot League Academic All-Conference Team (2)

Selected as one of the Patriot League’s top 14 student-athletes. Named to the 2017 and 2018 Patriot League Academic All-Conference Team

• FCS ADA Academic Post-Graduate Scholarship Finalist (1)

Selected as one of seven finalists in the nation to receive the FCS ADA Academic Post-Graduate scholarship, which recognizes academic, athletic, and community excellence

• Patriot League Academic Honor Roll (4)

Selected each year to the Patriot League’s academic honor roll

• 2018 Phil Steele FCS Magazine Preseason All-Patriot League Team (1)

Selected to the second team All-Patriot League Defense prior to the 2018 season

• Lafayette College Recreation Services (3)

Participated in Lafayette’s intramural programs as a captain in the highly competitive men’s basketball league. Participated as a member of the Lafayette College Club Golf team

Special Interest – Total Years Involved

• Citigroup 2018 Summer Internship Program (1)

Summer Analyst at Citigroup – one of the world’s largest financial institutions. Worked in the bank’s Capital Markets Origination (CMO) business on the Leveraged Finance Desk. Received and accepted an offer to return to Citi full-time after graduation

• KPMG LLC Internship Program (1)

Summer Intern at KPMG – one of the world’s largest public accounting firms. Worked in the firm’s Advisory practice at the Innovation Lab

• BHMS Investments Internship (1)

Worked as an Investment Team Intern for the middle market private equity firm

• Vineyard Vines Corporate Internship Program (1)

Summer Intern at Vineyard Vines corporate office. Worked with the financial planning and accounting department (FP&A) and customer service department

• Post-Graduate Education (1)

Nominated for the NCAA Walter Byers post-graduate scholarship – presented annually to a student-athlete with post-graduate education aspirations. Participated in workshops for the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) to enroll in business school and achieve a Masters of Business Administration (MBA)

• All-Star Human Performance LLC (3)

Co-founder of small business designed to assist clients with general physical wellness including personal athletic training, chiropractic and physical therapy, and nutritional services