granted its first Bermuda College Scholarship to second-year hospitality management major Heather Ward.

The $2,000 scholarship was launched in an effort to heighten awareness of the Meeting Professional and the Hospitality Industry in Bermuda, according to Starla Williams, president of the Mid Atlantic Chapter.

The scholarship is only offered to students who have attained a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and who had selected the fields of either Hospitality Management or Business Administration.

Recipients are also expected to work shadow with a MPI professional member in their chosen field of study and be prepared to take part in the activities of the Mid Atlantic Chapter.

Ms Ward, who just finished a nine-week internship at Cambridge Beaches, will continue to work there as a management trainee for the remainder of this year.

And upon graduation from Bermuda College in June of 1997, Ms Ward will begin full-time employment with the west end cottage colony.

Ms Ward said she was "proud and delighted to have been chosen as the first recipient of the scholarship''.

"I am looking forward to giving something back not only to the Mid Atlantic Chapter, but also to Bermuda,'' she stressed.

"I wish more of my friends would give our tourism and the hotel industry serious consideration,'' said Ms Ward.

Ms Williams said the chapter felt "the positive attitude and drive of students such as Heather are integral to the success'' of the Meeting Professionals industry.

But she also voiced concern about the lack of interest in the hospitality industry.

"The Mid Atlantic Chapter find it a great shame that more students are not taking advantage of what is offered through the Bermuda College and indeed not even considering the hospitality industry as a career choice,'' Ms Williams said.

MEETING THE NEEDS - Receiving her $2,000 cheque is Heather Ward (second from right). Pictured with her (from left) are MPI treasurer Charmaine Lampit, president Starla Williams, education chair Sally Browne, and scholarship chair Christine Cook.