AH&LEF and AH&LA Award Five Hospitality Management Scholarships
SEPTEMBER 27, 2006. The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), the not-for-profit affiliate of AH&LA, awarded scholarships via the Steve Hymans Extended Stay Scholarship program to undergraduate hospitality management students from various U.S. colleges and universities.
The scholarship, which was renamed early this year in honor of Hymans, a 25-year veteran of the hospitality industry and one of the extended stay segment's most knowledgeable and experienced professionals, was awarded to undergraduate hospitality management students from various U.S. colleges and universities. Each award recipient receives between $500 and $2,000 toward their educational endeavors depending on enrollment status for the 2006-2007 academic year.
This year's scholarship winners are Jianmin Sun, Monroe College; Meredith Sampson, University of Memphis; Daniel Tadros, Johnson & Wales University-Providence; Weonhee Ann Lee, Boston University; and Beverly Alexander, University of North Texas.
The scholarship program was established in 2005 to help educate more undergraduate hospitality management students about the needs, interests, and concerns of the extended stay segment of the lodging industry. Each student must have some previous work experience at an extended stay property or franchisor, as well as a desire to pursue their professional careers in this segment of industry. AH&LEF provided the Council with a matching contribution to launch and administer the program. In addition, Hymans' colleagues, family, and friends donated more than $109,500 to permanently endow the program.
'The sole purpose of the Steve Hymans Extended Stay Scholarship program is to sustain the tremendous growth the extended stay segment is experiencing,' said AH&LA Extended Stay Council Chairman and Vice President of Extended Stay Brands of Choice Hotels International Kevin J. Lewis. 'This program is a sure way to assist with the development of the next generation of extended stay leaders.'
For more information about the Extended Stay Scholarship program, contact Crystal Hammond, manager of foundation programs at (202) 289-3188 or [email protected] or visit www.ahlef.org.