NACE seeks candidates for Vince DeFinis scholarship

The Foundation of the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE), the nation’s oldest and largest professional association dedicated to all aspects of the catering industry, is once again seeking candidates for the Vince DeFinis scholarship--a $15,000 grant awarded annually to an undergraduate student pursuing a degree and career in catering and event design.

DeFinis, who died in December 2007, was one of the co-founders of NACE and a visionary in the field of catering and special events. He spent his entire career dedicated to the profession and to seeing that NACE properly reflected and served its members. The scholarship honoring DeFinis was launched in 2008.

The 2009 Vince DeFinis Scholarship will be awarded to a student selected by the Foundation of NACE. The money will be distributed in July 2009 at the NACE annual convention, Experience! 2009, in Charlotte, N.C. The recipient will also receive complimentary student membership in the National Association of Catering Executives.

Applicants must be currently enrolled as a full-time student (12 credits or more) in an accredited hospitality, culinary or related program, and must maintain a 3.0 or better GPA. Students who have not yet completed 60 credits are not eligible. Judging will be based on an essay and two letters of reference, which must be included in the application. All applications must be submitted by May 28, 2009.

Students interested in applying for the scholarship, can download a PDF application form here.