MCLEAN, Va.—The Foundation of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is pleased to announce the selected recipients of its annual merit scholarships. The winners of this year’s awards have shown exceptional promise and dedication in pursuit of higher education with a concentration in a hospitality-related field.
In addition to their studies, eligible students must demonstrate related work experience, an intention to pursue a career in hospitality sales, marketing, or revenue management, and good academic standing with their college or university.
The 2013 recipients of the scholarships, sponsored by American Express, are Lindsay Frank, Michael Weber and Haiying Huang. Huang is also the recipient of this year’s Mike Dimond Scholarship, which was created by the HSMAI Foundation in 2008 to honor the late hospitality industry leader, Mike Dimond.
“The mission of the HSMAI Foundation is to develop knowledge and insights for the future of the hospitality sales and marketing industry, and in no way can this mission be better realized than by supporting outstanding and deserving students who intend to join our trade,” said Fran Brasseux, executive director of the HSMAI Foundation. “We are thrilled to extend our scholarships to Lindsay, Michael, and Haiying, as well as commend them on their achievements thus far, and we look forward to all that they will accomplish in the future.”
Lindsay Frank is a junior seeking a degree in hotel, restaurant and tourism management at the University of Wisconsin–Stout in Menomonie, Wis. Since joining the local collegiate chapter of HSMAI, Frank has participated in various activities ranging from sales blitzes to nonprofit volunteer events. Through HSMAI, Frank was able to land a job at the Remington Hotels Business Development Program as a research assistant. In addition, she resides as vice president of an on-campus organization, Stout Events Society, wherein she plans events both on and off campus. Following graduation, Frank would like to work in the sales and events field of the hospitality industry.
Michael Weber is in his third year as a hospitality student at Johnson & Wales University in Denver, Colo. Weber has been involved with the local collegiate chapter of HSMAI since his freshman year of college and credits his success to the opportunities the association has given him. He is currently the President of the Johnson & Wales Hospitality Professionals as well as the Student Chapter President of the National Association for Catering and Events in Denver. His work experience includes a past internship for Destination Hotels & Resorts at Manor Vail Lodge in Vail, Colo., and he currently works at the JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek managed by Sage Hospitality Resources. Following graduation, Weber wants to obtain a position in the hospitality sales and marketing industry.
Haiying Huang is currently working toward a master’s degree in hospitality and tourism management at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., and received her bachelor’s degree in tourism management from Liaoning University in Shenyang, China. During her undergraduate studies, Huang’s achievements included involvement with a class committee tasked to lead student activities, winning second place in a business competition stimulation contest and helping peers open a student run and owned campus café. Following graduation, Huang spent one year as a customer service agent at The Westin Pazhou in Guangzhou, China. She hopes to one day be an innovator who brings change to the current tourism industry. In the short-term, she would like to transition into a research or market analyst role.
“We congratulate this year’s class of scholarship winners and thank American Express for its continued support of the HSMAI Foundation and student achievement,” said Vail Brown, chair of the HSMAI Foundation and vice president of global business development & marketing at STR.
