9/18/96

By Gina Cordell (cordegn@mail.auburn.edu)

MOBILE STUDENT WINS NATIONAL TOUR FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

AUBURN -- Katherine Hargett of Mobile, a senior hotel and restaurant management major at Auburn University, was selected as one of only 25 students from North American colleges and universities to receive a 1997 National Tourism Foundation Scholarship.

The National Tourism Association awards $5,000 to cities that host a Spring Exchange. In 1993, Birmingham held a Spring Exchange and decided to use the $5,000 to establish the Birmingham Legacy Scholarship. Hargett, who was awarded a $1,500 scholarship, is the second Auburn student to win the award.

"It was such a relief to find out that I'd received the scholarship," said Hargett. "But it felt rewarding at the same time. I've worked so hard for grades, and to finally be recognized for that is nice."

Hargett chose to pursue a career in hotel and restaurant management because the curriculum combined business and nutrition. She found out about the scholarship through Susan Hubbard, assistant professor and extension specialist of nutrition and food science.

Hubbard says the scholarship not only benefits students like Hargett, but Auburn as well. "The scholarship gives us visibility at the national level and an opportunity for other students to see these scholarships are available," she said.

Students in hotel and restaurant management do not realize they have a great opportunity to receive scholarships, Hubbard said. The National Tourism Foundation offered more than $25,000 in scholarships, internships and grants to students in North America in 1997.

In addition to the National Tourism Foundation Scholarship, Hargett will receive an all expense paid trip worth $3,000 to the foundationŐs annual convention in Tampa, Fla., Nov. 7-12.

While attending the convention, Hargett will have the opportunity to meet with key industry professionals and observe business appointments among tour operators, tour suppliers and destination marketing organization representatives.

Hargett is already looking forward to attending the convention. "I'm looking forward to meeting people in the business," she said. "I'm not sure what to expect, but I know it will be a good experience for me."

"We are very pleased that the foundation has awarded more than 30 scholarships, grants, internships and awards, that cover all aspects of education and total more than $25,000 to students pursuing education in travel and tourism," said Dave Herren, NTF chairman and executive vice president and general manager of United Vacations.

"The educational opportunities afforded by the foundation rejuvenate our industry and ensure continued excellence," he said. "Everyone benefits from qualified people entering the industry workforce and many of these scholarship recipients go on to shine in the industry in tour operations, industry marketing and travel agency businesses."

The National Tourism Foundation is a non-profit organization working to enhance the packaged tour and travel industry in North America. Its mission is to foster quality tour operator travel services for the traveling public through education, research and industry relations.

Hargett is the daughter of Derry and Irene Hargett of Mobile.

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CONTACT: Hubbard, 844-1333 (shubbard@humsci.auburn.edu)