University of the Incarnate Word
10/04/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/04/2024 11:09
Honoring Adam Guerrero’s Legacy: Graduate Accounting Students Receive $25,000 in Scholarship Support in Honor of UIW Alumnus
Ten graduate-level accounting students from UIW's H-E-B School of Business and Administration (HEBSBA) are the deserving recipients of the Adam Guerrero Memorial Foundation $25,000 scholarship program. Each student will receive $2,500 to aid in continuing their education at UIW.
The Adam Guerrero Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to honor the legacy of UIW HEBSBA alumnus Adam Guerrero '11, who passed suddenly on Nov. 30, 2021. During his life, Adam developed a career as a certified public accountant and was a proud graduate and generous donor to UIW. Sandra Guerrero, Adam's wife, developed the memorial foundation to offer scholarships to promote education and to serve and provide a positive impact in the community.
Since June 10, 2022, what would have been his 41stbirthday, the Adam Guerrero Memorial Foundation has proudly donated a total of $50,000 in scholarships on Adam's behalf to graduate accounting students at UIW. The number of students awarded has gradually increased each year from four, seven to now 10 student recipients.
Dr. April Poe, UIW department chair for Accounting, Business Law and Management Information Systems (MIS), works directly with Sandra to encourage students to apply and to ensure the applications are received by Sandra for review.
Poe explained that this scholarship is a great opportunity for graduate-level students since they must often look beyond UIW to find potential financial support from scholarships. To have a scholarship that is specialized for UIW students and that specifically accommodates their needs is a valuable resource.
"Most students share that the scholarship is used to cover tuition and living expenses," shared Poe. "It has really helped them out to cover their fall and spring semesters so they can get toward the end of their program."
Donations made at the foundation's annual golf tournament are the main source of funding for the scholarship. Sandra expressed that the annual tournament holds a special place in the hearts of Adam's loved ones and community, as it meaningfully honors his legacy. Donations are made by everyone from Adam Guerrero's family, friends and colleagues, to local firms and businesses.
"The most rewarding part of this process is reading the application essays submitted for my review in anticipation of granting scholarships to well-deserved accounting graduate students," said Sandra. "The process allows me to learn about each applicant, the experiences they have gone through and how it has shaped them into the person they are today. The ambition, hope and grit shown throughout these essays is admirable. I wish each student an abundance of success in their personal and professional lives. We are honored to support these students in memory of Adam Guerrero."
This year's recipients include Alexa Juncos, Andrea Rybolt, Bailey Rech, Carson Hunsucker, Eduardo Sarabia, Emily Barrozo, Hailey Hernandez, Meghan Tromp, Noah Anthony Ramirez and Omar Jihad Rasem Alramahi.
Sandra hopes that this year's scholarship recipients feel proud and honored to be considered part of Adaam Guerrero's legacy. Although Adam passed at the young age of 40, his legacy will continue to shine bright through the students as they complete their degrees and make a positive difference in the world.
The 4thAnnual Adam Guerrero Memorial Foundation Golf Classic tournament will be held at the Quarry Golf Course on Thursday, June 12, 2025.