Lamar Townsend, a senior political science and finance/real estate double major at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is one of six people nationwide to be awarded the prestigious national scholarship through the Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation’s Real Estate Education Scholars Program. One of the students. .
The Harold E. Eisenberg Real Estate Scholars Program was launched in 2015 with the goal of providing undergraduate and graduate students with valuable experience in the real estate field to launch their careers. Students are nominated for scholarships by their universities and selected by a panel of judges.
“When I found out I had won the scholarship, I was really excited, shocked and humbled,” Townsend said. “This big foundation in a huge city reached out to a boy from Arkansas and saw my potential. I’m nervous, but I want to do my best. This is a big foundation. It’s an opportunity and I’m excited to learn more about what I’m passionate about.”
Earlier this year, Townsend was part of a group of UA Little Rock students who won the National Real Estate Challenge in Chicago, also through the Eisenberg Foundation. This challenge connects a select group of university students with high-profile real estate development projects in the Chicago metropolitan area. Each team must present a development plan to maximize the property’s potential. UA Little Rock won the undergraduate division, and he received $5,000 to support UA Little Rock’s finance/real estate program.
Townsend first learned about the Scholars program through the Real Estate Challenge.
“I was really intrigued to learn more about the scholars program,” Townsend said. “After I won the challenge, Professor Small nominated me for the program.”
The 10-month Real Estate Scholars Program focuses on mentorship and networking, giving students the opportunity to make connections in the real estate industry. Students connect with “super mentors,” attend meetings and conferences with industry experts, go on field trips, and even attend the International Council of Shopping Centers Las Vegas Convention.
“This is a great opportunity to step into networking,” Townsend said. “In this industry, it’s all about who knows who and who knows who. I recently had the pleasure of attending an event in Chicago and received 10 business cards from some of Chicago’s biggest names. This program is… It really gives me the ability to network.”
Mr. Townsend thanked Dr. Mark Funk and Professor Elizabeth Small of the UA Little Rock School of Business.
“I want to say a huge thank you to the School of Business, Dr. Funk and Professor Small,” Townsend said. “They made this possible for me. They helped me fund my trip to Chicago and overall they helped me a lot on this journey. have become.”
After graduation, Townsend plans to work in commercial real estate and hopes to gain work experience in the field before attending law school.
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