Washington | The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), the not-for-profit affiliate of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), awarded six AH&LA member property employees with American Express Academic Scholarships for the 2006–2007 school year. Through the program, each student receives between $500 and $2,000 toward their educational endeavors depending on enrollment status.

This year’s academic scholarship winners are Brenda Hook, Widener University, Crowne Plaza Liberty Conference Center, King of Prussia, Penn.; Weonhee Anne Lee, Boston University, The Hotel Commonwealth, Boston, Mass.; Elizabeth Longstreet, Cornell University, ClubCorp International, Dallas, TX.; Meredith Sampson, University of Memphis, Homewood Suites by Hilton® Memphis-Hacks Cross, Memphis, Tenn.; Dario Vasquez, Florida Metropolitan University, The Lago Mar Resort and Club, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and Elizabeth William, University of Hawaii, The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Honolulu, HI.

The AH&LEF-administered program, which was founded in 1993 by a $250,000 gift from American Express, is exclusively for AH&LA member property employees and their dependents, who are pursuing undergraduate hospitality management degrees or enhancing their professional development through certification courses offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI). Since its inception, the program has awarded $201,000 to 178 students.

“Through this contribution from American Express, AH&LA hotel employees are afforded the opportunity to advance their professional careers through continuing education,” said AH&LA President and CEO Joseph A. McInerney. “American Express has been a long-time supporter of our organization and this is yet another example of their valuable donations.”

For more information about the American Express Academic Scholarship competition, contact Crystal Hammond, manager of foundation programs, at (202) 289-3188 or [email protected] or visit .

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 .

Serving the hospitality industry for nearly 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.

Enica R. Thompson
Manager of Media Relations
AH&LA