2010 Application Season Starts Today; $500,000 Awarded Annually to Support
Diverse Students Pursuing Hospitality Careers

BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 16, 2009 - The Hispanic College Fund (HCF) and UNCF - the United Negro College Fund are accepting applications today through Feb. 16, 2010 for the Marriott Scholars Program for the 2010-2011 school year. Eligible students can apply for renewable scholarships of up to $9,000 annually in tuition support for up to four years. 

"We're excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for the Marriott Scholars," said J.W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr., chairman and CEO of Marriott International, Inc. "My parents were committed to building and investing in the lives of our young people and future leaders. The Marriott Scholars program supports their vision and encourages students to explore the many career options within our industry." 

In 2007 in partnership with HCF and UNCF, the Marriott Foundation launched the Marriott Scholars program, which awards grants totaling up to $500,000 annually to students pursuing degrees in the areas of hospitality management, hotel management, culinary and food and beverage. 

"The Marriott Foundation's investment in these young men and women will both help them prepare for careers in the fast-growing hospitality industry and produce the college-educated professionals that the industry needs to grow and to contribute to the communities it serves," said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., president and CEO of UNCF. "UNCF salutes the Marriott Foundation for their generosity and their forward-looking commitment to education and prosperity."

"We are thrilled to have Marriott as a partner in our scholarship program for the fifth year in a row," said Idalia Fernandez, president of the Hispanic College Fund. "Their continued support of our programs truly demonstrates Marriott's 'spirit to serve.' Thanks to these scholarships, this year, dozens of young Latinos will grow one step closer to the hospitality career of their dreams!" 

Applicants interested in applying for the Marriott Scholars program must meet the following eligibility requirements. Candidates must be: 

• a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States 
• enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year college or university with a hospitality management program as an incoming college freshman, first year freshman or community college transfer; 
• pursuing or planning to pursue a degree within the hospitality management, hotel management, culinary or food and beverage field; and 
• possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. 

As a part of the program, Marriott International managers and executives from the hotels and corporate offices will provide career guidance, mentoring, development and internship opportunities to scholarship recipients. 

Congratulations to the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Scholars:

� Sherika Anthony, Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD 
� Semone Barnes, Howard University in Washington, D.C. 
� Eldridge Betts, The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY 
� Tomaso DeNiro, Cornell University in Ithaca, NY 
� Maria Edwards, University of Delaware in Newark, DE 
� Erica Ellis, Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI 
� Frank Fleming, James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA 
� Jamar Fletcher, University of Houston in Houston, Texas 
� Yonseili Flores, New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM 
� Jose Frayre, The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY 
� Christopher Garcia, San Diego State University in San Diego, CA 
� Jeffrey Gonzalez, San Diego State University in San Diego, CA 
� Lauren Goodrich, Penn State University in University Park, PA 
� Edward Lee, Delaware State University in Dover, DE 
� John Loredo, Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX 
� Brayan Melo, SUNY College at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY 
� Ariana Miller, University of Houston in Houston, TX 
� Cynthia Mondragon, New Mexico State University in Dona Ana, NM 
� Julia Nelson, Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA 
� Adunni Ogunlanoh, Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI 
� Ruben Ortega, Jr., Cornell University in Ithaca, NY 
� Evelyn Richardson, Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL 
� Kevin Rivera, New York University in New York, NY 
� Alyssa Rodriguez, The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY 
� Denise Rutherford, Purdue University in Purdue, Ind. 
� Pamela Salva, Penn State University in University Park, PA 
� Chloe Sena, Cal State Polytechnic University in Pomona, CA 
� Tyrus Sanders, New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM 
� Jocelyn Taylor, Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, FL

Those interested can apply online at www.uncf.org/forstudents/scholarship.asp or www.hispanicfund.org. 

About the UNCF
UNCF -- the United Negro College Fund -- is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students' education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 39 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 18 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building (ICB) strengthens the overall capacity of its 39 member private HBCUs by focusing on six programmatic areas: enrollment and retention, fundraising, academic programming and faculty development, financial management, executive leadership and governance and campus facilities. Learn more at www.UNCF.org

About the HCF
Founded in 1993, the Hispanic College Fund is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., with a mission to develop the next generation of Hispanic professionals. For 15 years, the Hispanic College Fund has provided educational, scholarship, and mentoring programs to students throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, establishing a career pipeline of talented and career-driven Hispanics who are trained in the fields of business, science, technology, engineering and math. The Hispanic College Fund has an annual budget of $6 million with 20 full-time employees. In 2006, the Hispanic College Fund received the Brillante award for "Nonprofit of the Year" from the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, and in 2007 was recognized by USA Today as one of the nation's top 25 charities. In 2009, the organization was honored with Charity Navigator's highest rating for non-profit management and financial responsibility. For more information, please visit: www.hispanicfund.org

About the Marriott Foundation
The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation was established in 1965 with the purpose of giving back to the community. Under the current direction of J.W. Marriott, Jr. and Richard E. Marriott, the Marriott Foundation is dedicated to helping youth secure a promising future, especially through education on the secondary and higher education levels, mentoring and youth leadership programs. Equally important are organizations that help provide relief from hunger and disasters; support people with disabilities; and create gainful employment opportunities for vulnerable youth and adults.