College of Engineering Sophomore Victor Loma Thankful For Education, Scholarships

Victor Loma’s passion for understanding how things work began at an early age.

Loma remembers spending his days as a 12-year-old boy in Kansas City, Missouri with his father, an industrial electrician. He spent those days as a self-described “little assistant,” learning the ins and outs of a profession that would ultimately spark his desire to pursue a college education.

“It was right around that time that I got a lot of inspiration to try and further my education,” said Loma, a sophomore mechanical engineering major at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Loma is the oldest of six siblings and is the first in his family to attend college. Throughout high school, Loma said he worked hard to challenge himself by taking high-level courses in subjects such as math and physics.

Loma’s goal to attend college was always at the front of his mind. Using the money he saved up from working with his father, Loma would go on road trips that often included campus visits to dozens of colleges and universities in his free time.

Those campuses included places like Ohio State University, Arizona State University and California Polytechnic State University. It wasn’t until his senior year in high school that Loma discovered UNL. From the moment he stepped foot on campus, Loma knew that he found his home.

“Everybody that goes to UNL cares about this university,” he said. “I really loved the community and I just thought, ‘If I’m going to go to college, I want that connection.’”

Loma is the recipient of an N Fund Student Scholarship through the College of Engineering. As an out-of-state student, he said the scholarship has already played an important role in his education.

“Having this scholarship to help me get through college has been amazing,” he said. “It really helps me just focus on my classes instead of worrying about how I am going to pay for my tuition.”

Loma said the College of Engineering’s impact on his education thus far has been immense. The College’s facilities, classes and faculty have provided Loma with the resources needed to find success as he pursues his degree.

“I would say the College of Engineering has impacted me very positively,” he said. “It has definitely made me less nervous just because I have been able to be mentored by professors and people who have done the things I want to do.”

Loma hopes to combine his mechanical engineering degree with his passion for trains to make an impact within communities throughout the country. He pointed to plans that would introduce high-speed rail travel to states such as Texas as examples of places where that combination could be used.

“I really like what trains are able to do for communities,” he said. “They make everything much more accessible. I’m just really invested in trains and what they’re able to do.”

Loma knows he wouldn’t have the opportunity to make an impact with his degree if it wasn’t for the support of donors who contributed to the College of Engineering’s N Fund. Thanks to their support, he is on the path toward success.

“Because of this scholarship, I feel like I have more liberty over my college experience,” he said. “I’m very grateful to have this scholarship.”