Waukegan woman receives hospitality scholarship

The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Foundation today announced the recipients of its scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year.

Trenece Owens of Waukegan was 1 of 23 recipients to receive scholarships this year. She is the recipient of the Chicagoland Marriott Hotels Scholarship. Owens is a senior at DePaul University studying Hospitality with a focus in Lodging Management and Leadership. One of her long-term goals is to work as a hotel manager within the next three years. Owens was awarded this scholarship as a result of her extraordinary enthusiasm in her educational and professional life and her passion for the hospitality industry.

Designed to ignite confidence in Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) member employees and hospitality management students, IHLAEF is helping support the next generation of hospitality leaders and equipping them with resources to help advance their education.

For the 2016-2017 academic year, IHLAEF awarded almost $48,000 in scholarships to 23 students at 16 colleges in Illinois and across the country. The 23 students received scholarships based on outstanding academic achievement, a strong portfolio and a commitment to pursuing a career in the hospitality industry.

The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (IHLAEF) is the nonprofit, 501(c)(3) educational arm of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA). Incorporated in 1992, IHLAEF has been a primary source of scholarship assistance for deserving Illinois college students pursuing hospitality management degrees throughout the country, awarding over $350,000 since its inception.

The foundation focuses on three major initiatives: educational programming, high school to career curriculum and workforce development, and scholarships.