Soccer (or “football” in Scotland) was the vehicle Jay Abraham used to arrive at Georgian Court University, but academic principles are the fuel that powered him through the journey. “The Five Mercy Core Values are guides for how best conduct yourself not only at school but in life,” said Abraham who hails from the town of Dumfries in Scotland.
Driven at a young age to become an accountant, Abraham sought an education program that provided the option for two majors: Accounting and Finance. His home country of Scotland did not offer this academic track in higher education, so he looked toward the United States.
“The morals and values of Georgian Court University resonated with me, especially service. Community service holds a special place in my heart and I thrive off of giving back to others and making them happy,” said Abraham. “This is a feeling like no other, helping people in a less fortunate situation, it is something everybody should do and the world would be a better place if this happened.”
Abraham funneled his passion for service and his desire to lead by example into sports, athletics and through social activities on campus. “I have always sought leadership opportunities and I enjoy taking the responsibility that comes with this.”
And lead he has. Abraham, who was recruited to the soccer team earned the title of Captain in his junior year, was the top goal scorer, and was named the Men’s Soccer MVP this year. He also earned the GCU Athletic Coach Award.
Under his leadership, the soccer team also performed service and volunteer work in the community. In addition, Abraham served as the president of the Global Lions Club which hosts a variety of events each year, including an International Festival and International Education Week events.
“The Global Lions is really important to me, as it is all about spreading global awareness and giving students who have not traveled insight into different countries,” explained Abraham. “The aim is to promote traveling aboard and make everyone aware of the beauty that comes with it. It also gives students a spotlight to talk about the country they come from and educate people on some of the things you do.”
In addition to excelling in sports, Abraham has been a stellar student. He recently earned the President’s Award as well as the first award in both Accounting and Finance and the Emerging Leader Award for the School of Business & Digital Media. He has consistently achieved President’s and Dean’s List recognitions and has been inducted into multiple honor societies including Chi Alpha Sigma, Delta Mu Delta, Phi Eta Sigma. And the GCU Honors Society.
Abraham has been a member of the CACC All-Academic team for three years and received the 2020-21 ADA Academic Achievement Award and the 2022-23 CSC Academic All-District Award.
The experiences at GCU have had a tectonic shift on Abraham, as he admits the individual that entered freshman year is markedly different than the person about the graduate. “GCU afforded incredible opportunities to participate in experiences that took me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to grow and tremendously mature as a person.”
Abraham will start his professional career as an accountant in the New York office of Ernst & Young, one of the “Big Four” largest professional services networks in the world.
“I am starting out in accounting, but I am unsure where future opportunities might take me,” said Abraham. “I see myself being in charge in some way or another in my profession in the future, and these opportunities have helped me prepare for this.”
