A native of Lititz, Pa., Lindsey Rago graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics as a double major in finance and financial planning and wealth management with a minor in trust management.
Rago was nominated for this series by Assistant Professor of Finance Howland Redding. In this profile, Rago shares her favorite UD memories, challenges she has overcome and her plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Rago: I have changed exponentially since my first semester at UD. I have grown so much over the past four years in ways I never expected. I came to college not knowing what to expect or what was expected of me. I was learning how to balance everything, study effectively and live in a completely new environment. Over time, I have learned how to be independent, trust myself and be able to handle any challenge that comes my way. UD, the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had have all helped shape me into the person I am today.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Rago: One of the biggest challenges I faced during my college experience was learning how to balance everything at once. When I first came to UD, I was adjusting to a completely new environment while trying to make friends, navigate classes and keep up a decent sleep schedule. It felt overwhelming at times, but I learned how to go about it by building better habits, trusting myself and becoming more organized.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Rago: Mt favorite UD experience is homecoming. Everyone coming back to campus makes it feel alive in a different way than usual. I loved being surrounded by friends, going to events and feeling connected to the larger UD community. Homecoming always reminded me how special this place is and how many memories I have made here.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Rago: Professor Redding has made a major impact on my UD experience. I first had Professor Redding for my intro finance class sophomore year, and he quickly became my favorite professor. I ended up taking every class I could with him. He asked me to be a finance tutor, and I got to do that for two years. I feel like Professor Redding saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. I will forever be grateful for Professor Redding and everything he has done for me.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Rago: To me, being a “Lifelong Lerner” means carrying the mindset I developed at UD into every stage of my life. It means staying open-minded and willing to grow no matter where I am or what I am doing. UD taught me how to challenge myself and keep pushing to understand things more deeply.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming students to make the most out of their college experience?
Rago: The best advice I would give to incoming students is to say yes to as much as you can and take advantage of every opportunity you are given. College goes by faster than you expect, and the experiences that end up shaping you the most are often the ones you didn’t plan for. Go to events, join clubs, meet new people and try things that push you outside your comfort zone. Some of the best memories and biggest growth moments come from simply being open to what UD has to offer. The more you put into your college experience, the more you’ll get out of it.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Rago: After graduation, I plan on continuing to work for Rockefeller Capital Management at its trust company in Wilmington, Del.