Palatine man receives hospitality scholarship

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

Andrew Wurtz of Palatine was 1 of 23 recipients to receive scholarships this year. He is the recipient of the KeyLime Cove Scholarship. Wurtz is working towards receiving his associate's degree in Hospitality Management from Harper College. In the short-run, he hopes to finish his associate's degree from Harper College by May 2017 and then move on to pursue a Bachelor's in Applied Sciences at a four-year university. He eventually wants to use all of the skills he has obtained and land a position in a corporate hotel or restaurant. Wurtz was awarded this scholarship as a result of his extraordinary enthusiasm in his educational and professional life and his 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.