Scholarship Extends Support and Belief to LeBow Students Experiencing Hardship

Martin Lutz entered Drexel as a transfer student, close to his hometown but a world away and without traditional support from home. In Lutz’s words, “I found a way to find a way,” and that spirit has carried over to his support of LeBow students through an endowed scholarship.

In an effort to pay forward the support he received from professors, administrators, co-op employers and others, Lutz established the Martin J. Lutz Endowed Scholarship Fund to help LeBow College of Business students in their third, fourth or fifth year of studies who may be struggling financially or enduring family hardship. The scholarship also pays tribute to his father, who graduated from Drexel with a bachelor’s degree in 1963 and a master’s in mechanical engineering in 1967.

The scholarship has assisted 23 LeBow students since 2009, and the recipients come from similar backgrounds to Lutz’s: Students with demonstrated need who have overcome difficult circumstances along their path to attending Drexel.

Lutz’s own path was not smooth or straightforward at times: transferring from community college, starting out as an evening student and encountering both academic and financial difficulties. A graduate of the Commerce and Engineering program, now known as Business and Engineering, and the MBA program, he drew on his training in industrial engineering and operations management to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry after graduating.

“Contributing to this scholarship over the past 20 years means a great deal to me,” Lutz says. “The cost of college tuition and associated expenses are not easy for any family, and those costs certainly don’t include the additional emotional toll on students.”

Beyond the financial support, typically around $2,500 per year, the impact of the Martin J. Lutz Scholarship comes in saying to a student “we believe in you.”

“For those growing up in a single-parent family or facing additional challenges, like having to help at home or working to support their education, the dream of college success can fade away,” Lutz says, adding that Drexel’s network of alumni and supporters provides additional reinforcement for those struggling with assimilation, anxiety or fear of failure.

“This network takes the form of social clubs, work colleagues and professional support,” he says. “I was fortunate to find it myself and encourage those who receive the scholarship to reach out for similar resources as they work to overcome painful obstacles.”

Two scholarship recipients during the 2024-25 academic year have navigated those obstacles with a new measure of support behind them.

Lilly Arruabarrena, a California native majoring in international business and finance, has worked full-time during her fourth and final year at LeBow.

“It’s been a challenge, especially with a full course load, but I’ve learned to be intentional with my time by keeping to schedules, setting priorities, and being okay with asking for help when I need it,” she says.

“Receiving the Lutz scholarship came at a time when I truly needed support—emotionally, financially and academically. The scholarship helped lift a major financial burden, allowing me to focus more on my studies and on healing and giving me room to breathe and pursue meaningful work.”

Gwendoline Twiford, a fourth-year student majoring in finance and business analytics, has had to strike a similar balance. A Philadelphia native and a first-generation college student, Twiford commuted to campus during her first year and later worked multiple jobs in addition to taking care and providing in-home care for her mother.

“Receiving the scholarship took a huge weight of my shoulders and really allowed me to focus more on my academics and on enjoying being a college student,” she says.

Twiford recently completed her second co-op at BlackRock, commuting from University City to the company’s Delaware office, while also serving as a head resident assistant on campus. She’s also been invited to share her experiences working in finance with UNIV 101 students and local high schoolers.

“It feels good to have time to connect with and mentor younger people,” she says. “That, along with making it to my fourth year in college with a 3.89 GPA, is what I’m proudest of.”