Editor: Natalia Arriví December 2016 Foundation José González Espinosa Joined the San Juan Marriott Family José González Espinosa was appointed General Manager of the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino on October 4, 2015. José González Espinosa Born in Germany, José has traveled the world working within the hospitality industry in Europe, the Caribbean, South and Central America. He joined Marriott International in 2001 as General Manager at the Marriott in Puebla, Mexico, and has since managed Marriott properties in the Dominican Republic, Brazil and Venezuela. This past year, José saw the opportunity to return to the Caribbean as General Manager for the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. José has 24 years of vast experience in the hotel industry with an expertise in Food and Beverage. His experience and emphasis on service have enabled him to create solutions, improve processes and overcome challenges in a variety of destinations. His strong belief in community service has also led him to become member of the Rotary Club and member of the board of the Hotel Association in St. Thomas and Venezuela. The Scholarship Foundation welcomes José and his family to Puerto Rico! Ben Tutt New General Manager at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel Ben Tutt returns to Puerto Rico as general manager of the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, one of the top luxury hotels on the island. Tutt began his career in the hospitality industry as a teenager working in the kitchen of his family s hotel in Colorado Springs. He went on to obtain a Bachelor s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Master s Degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Ben Tutt Prior to his appointment at the Condado Vanderbilt, Tutt worked as general manager at Vail Resorts, Vail Village, and La Posada de Santa Fe, both in Colorado, and as managing director at The Reef Bermuda, where he helped oversee a massive renovation of the property. Earlier in his career, Tutt became familiar with Puerto Rico s warm weather and enchanting beaches while working at the Wyndham Martineau Bay Resort and Spa in Vieques and the Wyndham El Conquistador and Golden Door Spa. The Scholarship Foundation extends a warm welcome back to Ben and his family during this holiday season!
SMORGASBOARD News from the Board of Directors Honoring Old Friends We Remember Carolyn Dalmau, Executive Administrator for 20 years It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Ms. Carolyn Dalmau who passed away on May 2016. Ms. Dalmau served as the Scholarship Foundation s Executive Administrator for 20 years, retiring in August 2015. During her tenure, Ms. Dalmau was instrumental in the Foundation s progress and the accomplishments achieved by the many scholars for whom she always had encouraging words. She will be dearly remembered by her coworkers and all the students whose lives she touched. The Board of Directors thanks James M. Finn After dedicating over 25 years to the Foundation, Mr. James M. Finn, past President and Chairman of the Board, retired from the Board of Directors in April 2016. Mr. Finn served as mentor to numerous students throughout the years and continues to follow closely on their progress. The Board of Directors of the Scholarship Foundation extends its most sincere gratitude to Mr. James M. Finn for his unwavering commitment to the Foundation s mission of providing educational opportunities to talented students from Puerto Rico. Mr. Finn is succeeded as Chairman of the Board by founding member and President of Copamarina Beach Resort, Mr. Arnold Benus. The Board of Directors Awards 8 Scholarships for 2016 The Board of Directors has awarded 8 scholarships for 2016 and new applications are currently being reviewed. In addition, the Board of Directors awarded 7 scholarships for the State University of New York at Oswego Summer Intensive English Program. Five students from the University of Puerto Rico and two from Universidad del Este will be able to develop and improve their English language skills at this 6-week program. Eva Alicea Bachelor s Degree in Culinary Arts Johnson & Wales Sebastián Bautista Bachelor s Degree in Culinary Arts Johnson & Wales Joseph Bermúdez Master s Degree in Accounting Universidad Interamericana Pedro Casanova Bachelor s Degree in Hospitality Administration Michigan State Melani Daniels Druso Daubón Master s Degree in Economic Boston University Development and Tourism Management Bachelor s Degree in Culinary Arts Culinary Institute of America Mariany González Mariluz Valentín Bachelor s Degree in Hotel Administration Johnson & Wales Master s Degree in Accounting Universidad Interamericana
THE VIEW From MY CORNER News from the Executive Administrator UPR Oswego Students In March, we received a visit from Mr. James F. Rainey, Director of Academic Programs and Associate Dean Emeritus, and Dr. Ronald F. Cichy, Ph.D., O.M., professor from The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University. We thank them for their support and genuine interest in the advancement of our students. Congratulations to scholarship recipient Bernard Padín on his Bachelor s Degree from the Culinary Institute of America. He is currently working at Dig Inn Seasonal Market, a farm-to-counter eatery with several locations in New York which focuses on mindful sourcing from neighboring farmers and producers at a regional level. Congratulations are also in order for scholarship recipient Gabriel Ramos Rosa who recently obtained his Bachelor s Degree from Johnson & Wales University. Scholarship recipient Melani Daniels has had an interesting first year at Boston University. While studying for her Master s degree, Melani was awarded a Graduate Research Assistantship under the Director of the Economic Development & Tourism Management Concentration and traveled to Tanzania to take a course on Economic Development via Tourism in the Developing World. Melani visited Indonesia as well as a guest at the International Conference Arte-Polis 6. After completing an internship at world-renowned restaurant Le Bernardin in New York, Druso Daubón has just completed his Associate s Degree from the Culinary Insitute of America and will obtain his Bachelor s degree in 2017. The School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration at the University of Puerto Rico, Carolina campus held a touching ceremony at its facilities for the distribution of the scholarship awards to its students attending the SUNY Oswego Summer Intensive English Program. The ceremony was attended by Rector Dr. Moisés Orengo Avilés, Dean Dr. Paul A. Rivera Alicea, Prof. Luis R. Rodríguez and Prof. Jonathan Ramos. Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!
Fundraising 2016 Two important events helped raise funds for the Scholarship Foundation Endowment Fund: The 23rd Annual Luis Torregrosa Casino Golf Classic Tournament held this year at Palmas del Mar was a success once again. On Monday, June 13th, spirits were high as golfers set out to conquer the Flamboyán and Palm Courses. Afterwards, distinctions including first place in each course, closest to the pin and longest drive, were awarded at an entertaining ceremony held at one of the hotel s ballrooms. The much anticipated raffle of prizes including wine baskets, dinner certificates and hotel stays concluded the event. Thanks to our generous sponsors and the hard work of Carl Kortum and his Organizing Committee, this year s tournament raised $50,000 for scholarships. We plan to continue our scholarships for seminars and on-line classes as well as explore other educational opportunities for our casino partners. Thank you to all the sponsors and organizers! This year, the 1st Rubén Estrada Footgolf Classic was held at El Conquistador, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, on Saturday, September 17th. The event benefited The Scholarship Foundation as well as other children s sports organizations. It was a fun-filled family event with $2,000 in cash prizes, certificates to some of the best hotels and restaurants on the island, as well as prizes for the kids and more! We thank Rubén Estrada and his organizing committee for this wonderful activity and expect the tournament to become a yearly tradition for the entire family!
Scholarship Foundation s Calendar 2017 December 28, 2016 March 2017 June 2017 September 2017 Student Christmas Lunch English Immersion Program Student Interviews 24th Annual Luis Torregrosa Casino Golf Classic Tournament 2nd Annual Rubén Estrada Footgolf Classic December 2017 Student Christmas Lunch Scholarship Opportunities for 2017 To qualify: Bachelor s Degree Studies Enrolled in a four year Bachelor s degree program in hotel administration, casino management, culinary arts or tourism at an accredited university or culinary school on the United States mainland. Master s Degree Studies Must have a minimum of two years of full time experience in the industry. May study in your field of interest such as finance, human resources, business administration, hotel administration, accounting and many others. Can be enrolled in top rated schools in the United States mainland or at UPR, Universidad Interamericana or the University of Miami Executive Business program given in Puerto Rico. For More Information Please contact: Narrivi@becasdeturismopr.org www.becasdeturismopr.org Proud to Be the Foremost Sponsor of Scholarships for Hospitality Professionals in Puerto Rico.
787-977-3393 Fax 787-724-1949 cdalmau@becasdeturismopr.org www.becasdeturismopr.org PO BOX 360136 SAN JUAN PR 00936-0136