Eleven outstanding students have received scholarships from the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Education Foundation.

Several of the scholarships involve opportunities to contribute to the PCMA 50^th Annual Meeting, scheduled for January 8-11, 2006, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.

The 2005 Student Planner of the Year Scholarship winner is Bori Csillag of Ryerson University.

Sponsored by the PCMA Education Foundation, this is a hands-on opportunity for a student to plan and present an educational session during the 2006 PCMA Annual Meeting for approximately 150 students who will attend.

This opportunity gives the winner the experience of planning an event from start to finish. It gives the student attendees the ability to learn from their peers and from industry professionals participating in the strategic session. The scholarship includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, and free registration for the meeting.

Two students won the 2005 Chairman’s Scholarships, sponsored by NYC & Company. Winners include Olga Onyshchenko of The George Washington University, and Katie Steigerwalt of the University of Delaware.

This scholarship was established to honor James H. Youngblood, the 2001 PCMA Chairman of the Board.

This annual award brings two PCMA student members to the 2006 Annual Meeting. This is an excellent opportunity for the winners to network with industry leaders and fellow students while enjoying the special distinction of being “Chairman’s Scholars.” The scholarship includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, and free registration for the meeting.

Three students won the 2005 Annual Meeting Scholarships, sponsored by the PCMA Foundation.

Winners include Charlotte Crabbe of the University of Houston Conrad Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management, Min-Sun Park of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Tim Winkler of George Mason University.

This scholarship allows students to work while attending the 2006 PCMA Annual Meeting. They will join industry professionals to help run the meeting and gain valuable experience that will prepare them for a career in the meetings industry. The scholarship includes complimentary airfare, hotel, and free registration for the meeting.

PCMA also announced the 2005 winners of the Roy B. Evans scholarships, established in honor of former PCMA chief executive Roy B. Evans. Each of the following winners will receive $5,000 toward school tuition: 

• Lori A. Graham, University of Central Florida- Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Andrew Ahn, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Jennifer Shepherd, University of Central Florida- Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Krista Olson, Michigan State University
• Jana Frey, University of Central Florida- Rosen College of Hospitality Management

In November, PCMA announced 2005 fall Multicultural Scholarship winners Michelle Holmberg, University of New Haven, and Kaori Horiuchi, University of Houston, Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Up to three deserving student members, per semester, have the opportunity to receive a $500 multicultural student scholarship to offset the expenses of tuition, textbooks, and other associated educational costs.

The PCMA Multicultural Student Scholarship is available to award funding to PCMA student members who have been traditionally underrepresented in the meetings/hospitality industry, especially, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native American, and African American/Black students who intend to pursue careers in the meetings/hospitality industry.