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The Halford Family & Bixby Land Company Student Award
In 2018, the Center for Real Estate received a gift from the Bixby Land Company to create an endowed scholarship and honor the life of Bill Halford. The Halford Family & Bixby Land Company Student Award supports merit-based graduate or undergraduate students who have demonstrated a strong interest in pursuing real estate studies and participating in the Center’s activities.
As a passionate supporter of higher education, Bill served as chairman of the Center for Real Estate Advisory Board for many years and led numerous initiatives, including the Real Estate Mentorship program, which today has become a school-wide program incorporating all disciplines at the business school.
For the 2019-2020 academic year, the Center for Real Estate had the honor to award the first recipient of this newly endowed scholarship to Charlie Jackson, a member of the Fully Employed MBA Class of 2021 cohort. For over six years, he has been employed at California Pacific Homes and manages all acquisitions for the organization.
During the 2020-2021 academic year, The Halford Family & Bixby Land Company Student Award was given to Ryan Hargrove, a graduate student in the MBA for Executives program. As a member of the Class of 2022 cohort, Ryan has an extensive background in the real estate indusrty. With his Master of Real Estate Development from USC and 20 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, Ryan was the ideal candidate to receive this student award.
How did the Halford Family & Bixby Land Company Award change your career path?
The Halford Family & Bixby Land Company Scholarship has had a very large impact on my career, primarily allowing me the opportunity to attend the UCI Paul Merage School of Business. This scholarship gave me the financial security to commit to the Fully Employed MBA program and without this, I may have gone to another program, or not pursued my MBA at all. As a fully employed student, it was critical to avoid burdening myself with student debt while furthering my education, and this scholarship gave me the financial security to make my decision.
How did the Merage School help you achieve your goals?
The Merage School has given me an opportunity to further pursue my studies in real estate development - outside of my current role in the homebuilding industry. It has given me more exposure to other roles, specialties, and nuances of the real estate profession. It has opened the door to a host of opportunities in the real estate field that previously were not on my radar, including corporations and industries that touch even the outer ring of real estate and finance.
Tell us about your background before you became a student at the Merage School?
I was born and raised in Laguna Beach. After graduating from Laguna Beach High School, I went on to pursue my undergraduate degree at the University of Oregon. Upon my college graduation, I returned home to pursue a career in the homebuilding ndustry. I was hired as an Assistant Superintendent for California Pacific Homes and worked my way out of construction and into the office covering all aspects of operations before being promoted to Director, Land Acquisition. After six years with the company, I currently head up all acquisitions for California Pacific Homes.
CHARLIE JACKSON
How has this award impacted your experience at the Merage School?
This award has impacted my experience at the Merage School by giving me the financial flexibility to pursue my education without the burden of student loans and debt.
What opportunities are you most grateful for?
I am most grateful for the opportunity to further my education. There are many material things in life, but one thing no man can take from you is your education. Without scholarship funds from generous donors such as the Halford Family and the Bixby Land Company, I would not have this opportunity to continue learning and developing my professional skill sets. I am incredibly grateful to be granted the honor of this scholarship.
RYAN HARGROVE
A LETTER OF APPRECIATION
Dear Halford Family and Bixby Land Company,
Thank you for the generous scholarship. I was very pleased and appreciative to learn that I was selected as the recipient of this award.
I have spent my entire 21-year career in the commercial real estate industry after graduating from the Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) program at USC in 2000. I currently serve as the Real Estate Valuation Services Manager for the County of Orange, where I provide real estate valuation services to multiple departments and agencies to facilitate the acquisition, management, leasing, and disposition of real property. I also teach entry-level real estate appraisal courses at Mt. San Antonio College and Long Beach City College.
Approximately three years ago, I was at a crossroads in my career and burned out from performing real estate valuations for loan underwriting purposes for many years. Rather than leave the valuation field, I refocused myself to teaching and public service with a government agency. Shortly thereafter, I decided to pursue an Executive MBA at UCI and immediately reached out to Professor Ed Coulson to establish a relationship with the Center for Real Estate at the Merage School. I was a guest speaker in Professor Coulson’s classes on three occasions during the 2020 academic year.
Through my studies at UCI, I aim to update and enhance my real estate knowledge, become an active participant in the Center for Real Estate, share my knowledge with others whenever possible, and foster relationships with likeminded individuals. Upon graduation, it is my intent to give back to UCI via financial contributions and mentoring of future students.
Thank you again for your thoughtful and generous gift. It is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, Ryan Hargrove
As of 2021, The Halford Family & Bixby Land Company Student Award endowment is valued at $117,647, with a payout of approximtely $5,000. Because of the Dean’s commitment to our generous donors, the Merage School matches The Halford Family & Bixby Land Company Student Award to provide additional financial security for our students.
$120,000
$115,000
$110,000
$105,000
$100,000
Endowment Fund Growth
2019 2020 2021
