Three Students Awarded Kent County Lodging Association Scholarships for Hospitality Education

(l-r) Brandi Kushuba, FSU; Erin Lecker, GVSU; Gabrielle McMaster, FSU.

The Kent County Lodging Association (KCLA) has announced the recipients of its 2011 / 2012 Hospitality Education Scholarships. A total of 5 applications were received from students representing three different educational institutions. Three students were awarded scholarships for the upcoming academic year at the KCLA April 21 meeting held at the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Grand Rapids.

This year’s recipients include:

• Erin Lecker
Grand Valley State University (sophomore from Saginaw, Mich)
Major: Hospitality & Tourism Management
Minor: Spanish
Scholarship Amount: $1000

• Gabrielle McMaster
Ferris State University (sophomore from Pinconning, Mich)
Major: Resort Management
Minors: Club Management; Special Event & Meeting Planning
Scholarship Amount: $500

• Brandi Kushuba
Ferris State University (sophomore from Grand Blanc, Mich)
Major: Resort Management
Minors: Club Management; Special Event & Meeting Planning
Scholarship Amount: $500

To be considered for one of the scholarships, the student had to be enrolled in the hospitality, travel/tourism and/or food service program at their respective college, university or institution; must be in at least this/her second year of the program; must have an accumulative GPS of 3.00 or higher; must have a minimum of 500 hours of practical on-the-job experience (including paid or unpaid internships) in his/her field of study; and must be endorsed by the department.

Re-established in the summer of 2005, KCLA is a non-profit, membership based organization made up of lodging properties and other hospitality businesses which service and compliment this industry. The organization meets monthly at hotels and destination properties throughout Kent County and also hosts educational training seminars, social activities and fundraisers for its hospitality scholarship fund.

KCLA serves to promote practical and fair cooperation with local, state and the United States governmental agencies on behalf of the Association members. It also works to advance and promote the fair exchange of information necessary in the public interest, or for the welfare of the lodging business as well as practical public relations in the interest of the lodging business; and encourages the spirit of friendly cooperation and the exchange of business among the members of the Association thus enabling the lodging businesses in the Kent County Area to better serve the public.