"Challenge yourself, use your resources and keep learning in and out of school."

Hard-working and Resourceful
Ryan Oelkers graduated from Villanova University with bachelor's degree in finance in 1999. While at Villanova, Ryan was the president of the fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, and played club lacrosse. He found his place in the financial market place by interning one summer at Jefferies and another summer on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

Ryan currently works for Jefferies in Institutional Equity sales covering New York accounts, specializing in mutual funds and hedge funds. Ryan's job challenges and invigorates him every day—his degree, hard work and family background were his resources that led him to where he is today. Ryan hopes to continue and grow his career in the equity business on Wall Street and strives to better understand the financial markets.

The Gift of a Smile
For many years Ryan has participated in Operation Smile, a non-profit, volunteer medical services organization that provides reconstructive facial surgery to indigent children and young adults. It is a passion of his and of his mother's.

A Jefferies Legacy
Jefferies has been a part of Ryan's life since he was born. His father, Rich Oelkers, began working at Jefferies in 1968, only 6 years after the Firm's founding. He worked at Jefferies for 34 years as a sales trader, retiring in 2002. "He saw the development of the scholarship and is extremely proud to see how many people it helps annually."

The scholarship also assisted Ryan's sisters, Kerry and Lauren in their academic endeavors. Kerry attended Villa Walsh Academy and Lauren attended Georgetown University and Columbia University's Graduate School of Nursing.

He attributes the Jefferies Family Scholarship, for giving him the opportunity to attend one of the best universities in the country and for leveraging his experience into his current position at Jefferies. "The focus of the program was very different than it is today and has clearly changed for the best. The scholarship is now more based on need and the selection process is much more rigorous. The selection committee should be applauded for picking the best candidates as it truly has a life changing impact."