As a member of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ Class of 2023, Raymond Lucas III, honors finance and financial planning and wealth management double major with a minor in trust management from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, has demonstrated remarkable dedication and resilience during his time at UD.
Lucas was nominated for this series by UD Academic Advisor Carrie Baldwin, who said, “Raymond is graduating with a 4.0 GPA He is a terrific ambassador for the University of Delaware (and Lerner) and often speaks at our Blue and Golden and Decision Day events. He enjoys sharing his experiences with the Blue Hen Investment Club and his internships with Integrated Partners and Comerica Bank. Raymond will be working for Vanguard upon graduation.”
Howland Redding IV, Assistant Professor of Finance, who also nominated Lucas, said,
Raymond is so dedicated to his schoolwork. There is no class immediately following ours and he routinely stays for up to an hour afterwards asking additional questions on the readings and lectures. He is such a deep thinker and truly understands the qualitative side of finance as well as the quantitative. He is an absolute pleasure to teach and contributes constantly. Raymond has the potential to be a superstar in the finance industry!”
In his profile, Lucas shares his favorite UD memories, how he has changed during his time at UD and his plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Lucas: I have become more skilled at networking since my first semester. I learned early in college that it is an important part of business. As time has gone on, I’ve made more diligent efforts to network and my ability to do so has improved.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Lucas: During my college career, COVID was a huge challenge. Being from Massachusetts, I was disconnected from many of my friends and the organizations I had joined at school. It made it difficult to maintain connections with people I’d known for only a little more than a semester. I successfully overcame the challenge by reaching out to friends when I could and by engaging with the clubs I’d joined to maintain the social connections I’d built.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Lucas: The Blue Hen Investment Club has been the highlight of my college career. After rising through the levels of the organization, it was the best hands-on learning experience that a student could have. The club provided me with numerous technical and professional skills that I can carry with me throughout my career and it has provided me with valuable networking opportunities.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Lucas: I think that being a Lifelong Lerner means that I should always be open to helping future UD students. I learned early on in my college career that networking is essential for success. I haven’t met a UD alumnus who isn’t willing to help a current student, so I think that being willing to help future students to find opportunities is how I can be a Lifelong Lerner.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen to make the most out of their college experience?
Lucas: The advice I would give a freshman is to be visible. What I mean by visibility is that someone’s college experience is the result of what they put into it. Whether it’s attending class, spending time in a professional setting, or enjoying social environments, the more that someone puts themselves out there to engage with people, the more they will get from their time in college. I learned that lesson over time and I still find ways to apply it in my own life.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Lucas: A professor that has had a significant impact on my college career is professor Rich Jakotowicz. I am pursuing a career in financial planning and wealth management. The guidance and education provided by Rich has allowed me to succeed in college and find an exciting job after graduation.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Lucas: After graduation, I am working for Vanguard at its headquarters in Pennsylvania. I’m joining its financial advisor development program where I will work to earn the licenses and designations needed for a career in financial advising. Later in the program, I will start working directly with clients to provide advice to them about their financial plans.