Washington, August 17, 2010 � The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), the not-for-profit affiliate of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, awarded three scholarships via its Arthur J. Packard Memorial Scholarship Program, the Foundation�s most prominent and oldest scholarship award.

• Sagine Delly, a senior at Florida International University, is first-place winner and receives $5,000. 
• Alexander Schaeffer, a senior at Missouri State University, receives $3,000 as second-place winner. 
• Third place goes to Jacquelyn Goodman, a senior at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte. 

In addition, the recipients receive commemorative plaques.

The Arthur J. Packard Memorial Scholarship Program, which began in 1974 to honor to honor third-generation hotelier Packard�s numerous accomplishments in the lodging industry, awards three students at AH&LEF-affiliated four-year educational institutions a total of $10,000.  Each school nominates their top students to compete.  In 2010, AH&LEF will award 292 scholarships to hospitality management students totaling more than $400,000.
 

Arthur J Packard Memorial Scholarship  This scholarship honors Arthur J. Packard, who never waited for the lodging industry to ask him to volunteer his time and boundless energy.  A third-generation hotelier, his work for AH&LA extended over 30 years -- one of the longest on record.  The Packard Competition provides scholarships to the most outstanding student of lodging management and to two runners-up through an annual competition among Foundation affiliated four-year programs. Eligibility Criteria Each university nominates its best qualified student to compete in the national competition.  Minimum eligibility criteria for nominees are: Full-time enrollment for the upcoming fall and spring semesters Undergraduate hospitality management major Minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher U.S. citizenship or permenent residency Scholarship Awards First-place winner receives a $5,000 scholarship Second-place receives $3,000 Third-place receives $2,000

�This year�s competition was a tough one as many students exemplified excellence in all categories. Our scholarships are ensuring the hospitality industry will one day employ some of the brightest and most noteworthy future leaders,� said Joori Jeon, CPA, CAE, AH&LEF president/COO.

For more information about AH&LEF scholarships and other programs, contact Christa Boatman, manager of foundation programs, at (202) 289-3139 or [email protected] or visit www.ahlef.org. 

AH&LEF is the charitable fund-raising and endowed fund-management subsidiary of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Founded in 1953, AH&LEF is the premier organization for scholarships, professional certification, and instructional material as well as funding for hospitality industry research. For more information, visit www.ahlef.org.

Serving the hospitality industry for a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.