OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., March 11, 2021 — Twelve undergraduate students including nine from Oklahoma State University School of Hotel & Tourism Management and three from the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Culinary Arts Program received a scholarship from the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation and the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association. A total of $34,000 was awarded to students pursuing a career in restaurant, culinary, hotel, and hospitality management.
The Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation (OHF) is a charitable organization benefiting the restaurant, lodging, and tourism industries in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association also has an established scholarship fund to award students desiring a career in hotel and lodging and event management.
"Our scholarship committees were thrilled to interview such an outstanding group of students who have decided to dedicate their education and future career path to the hospitality, hotel and the culinary arts industries. It's very important for students to engage with industry professionals, and during the interview process the committee is very committed to help students understand the characteristics and skill sets hospitality professionals look for when hiring", Patti Colley, ORA Chief Strategy Officer.
This year's OSU HTM recipients are:
- Kaitlyn Bledsoe
- Kaleb Cervantes
- Jordan Credle
- Morgan Didlake
- Skyla Edwards
- Maddie Gooding
- Mallory King
- Samantha Rodriguez
- Victoria Morgan Scott
This year's OSUIT recipients are:
- Patricia "Tricia" Bear
- Antonio Cepeda
- Deno Gist
Several of this year's recipients were notably also awarded scholarships in 2020 including Patricia "Tricia" Bear, Kaleb Cervantes, Morgan Didlake, Mallory King, Victoria Morgan Scott.
Scholarship recipients ranged from Sophomores to Seniors. The student application process opened in December 2020 with a total of 21 applications. Application requirements included a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale; proof of enrollment in a post-secondary culinary/hospitality program at OSUIT or OSU HTM; applicants must have performed a minimum of 250 hours of related work experience in the hospitality field, and they must have submitted two letters of recommendation. Additionally, applicants must submit a 500-word essay explaining their reason for applying, why they are worthy of the scholarship, an explanation of their work experience, and their intended goals in pursuing a hospitality career path.
Founded in 1933, the Oklahoma Restaurant Association is the trade association of restaurants and foodservice operations, the state's largest private industry employer. Representing more than 4,500 restaurants and members, the ORA actively monitors legislation and regulatory agencies; helps foodservice management develop and strengthen business; and develops the membership to do together for the industry what cannot be done individually.
The Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation (OHF) is a charitable organization benefiting the restaurant, lodging, and tourism industries in Oklahoma. As the philanthropic arm of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, the Foundation enhances the industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities. The OHF is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, and shall be operated exclusively for the purpose of increasing philanthropy in the state of Oklahoma.
Incorporated in 1974, the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association is Oklahoma's trade association for the hotel and lodging industry. The OHLA actively provides advocacy, education and resources for operators and professionals in all types of lodging businesses throughout the state of Oklahoma. The OHLA is a state partner of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and represents $12 billion in business sales, more than $6 billion in guest spending and $2 billion in hotel industry wages and salaries.