DFW RIMS - Gabriel L. Lugo Scholarship
The Gabriel L. Lugo Scholarship, administered by the Spencer Educational Foundation, is awarded to an undergraduate student majoring in Risk Management and Insurance who is a permanent resident of Texas. This scholarship honors the life and legacy of Gabriel Lugo, a respected figure in the field.
Application Deadline: January 31st
To apply, please visit: spencered.org/scholarships
Click here to learn more about Gabe Lugo and the scholarship.
Past Recipients
2025
Thu (Audrey) Nguyen
Texas Christian University
2024
2023
2022
2021
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
University of North Texas
2009
2008
Interview with 2025 Scholarship Recipient
Meet Audrey Nguyen, a rising senior at Texas Christian University majoring in Actuarial Science with a minor in Economics. Originally from Vietnam, Audrey balances her rigorous academic path with a love for music, swimming, and giving back to the actuarial community. We sat down with her to learn more about how a recent scholarship has shaped her journey and what she envisions for the future.
Tell us how being the 2025 DFW RIMS Lugo Scholarship recipient has impacted you, both academically and personally.
It’s made a huge difference. This scholarship specifically helps me to leverage my academic pursuits, especially in purchasing materials to support my learning. Receiving this scholarship has significantly empowered my academic journey by relieving financial stress and allowing me to invest in essential learning materials such as textbooks, online resources, and actuarial exam resources. Beyond financial assistance, this scholarship has served as a reminder that my efforts and potential are recognized. It truly motivated me to strive harder in my studies and pursue opportunities I might have otherwise hesitated to explore, such as attending professional development workshops or industry networking events.
What are your long-term aspirations, and how does this scholarship fit into that vision?
I hope to become a well-rounded actuary who not only excels in my technical skills and business skills but also supports the rise of aspiring actuaries as the Spencer Foundation is doing right now. This scholarship supports that vision by enabling me to focus on my academic and professional development, and by connecting me to a broader network of like-minded individuals who value both technical excellence and community impact. Furthermore, I would like to nurture the young generation to continue the development of the industry and mentor them to become global leaders.
Who has inspired you most in your journey, and, how do you plan to pay it forward?
Definitely Dr. Susan Staples, who has not only guided me academically but also encouraged me to embrace curiosity and integrity in everything I do. Her mentorship has shown me the value of combining rigor with compassion, something I aim to embody in my own career. To pay it forward, as I have mentioned, I plan to create a program in the future to mentor actuarial students or high school students that are interested in the mathematics/ actuarial science field.
Interview with 2024 Scholarship Recipient
We are pleased to introduce Madalyn Trevino, the recipient of the 2024 RIMS DFW Chapter - Gabriel L. Lugo Scholarship. Madalyn is a Senior at St. Mary's University, pursuing a major in Finance and Risk Management. In addition to her academic pursuits, she actively contributes as a member of Gamma Iota Sigma, serves on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as a liaison between student-athletes and the administration, and participates in the St. Mary’s University Golf Team.
Madalyn recently engaged in an interview where she discussed her honor of being selected as the 2024-2025 recipient of this prestigious scholarship.
How has receiving this scholarship impacted your academic and personal goals? Can you share specific ways it has helped you overcome challenges or pursue opportunities? The Gabriel L. Lugo Spencer scholarship has impacted my academic and personal goals by allowing me to focus on the education I will receive at St. Mary’s University instead of worrying about how I will pay for expenses I will incur without this opportunity. In addition, this scholarship will allow me more time to pursue my collegiate golf career. Both school and golf can be difficult to manage, so having scholarship opportunities like this makes it easier.
What are your long-term goals, and how do you see this scholarship contributing to your future career or community involvement? My short-term goal is to secure a full-time role as a financial analyst for a financial services company upon graduation. In terms of long-term goals, I hope to one day be in a leadership position for a company such as Chief Financial Officer. Similarly to Mr. Lugo, I have a passion for helping others in need and one day hope to contribute to non-profits that specifically focus on mental health for athletes.
Who has been your biggest mentor or inspiration? How have they shaped your goals and aspirations, and how do you plan to pay it forward? My biggest inspiration has been my mom. My mom always encouraged me to set high goals for myself and has always supported me in everything I do. I learned how to be a dedicated student and athlete from my mom. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for her. To pay it forward, I plan to work my hardest to achieve all the goals I have set for myself because I know that’s what my mom would want for me.
