FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management recently received $400,000 from Carnival Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Carnival Corporation, to provide full scholarships to five qualifying students.
“Carnival Foundation has been a long-time supporter of our school and of the South Florida community. This generous gift allows us to continue attracting and retaining top students. We are extremely thankful for our ongoing partnership,” said Mike Hampton, dean of FIU’s Chaplin School.
Dubbed the Carnival Gold Scholars program, it awards renewable scholarships, including room and board, of up to $20,000 for each incoming freshman planning to study hospitality or tourism management. The scholars are chosen based on volunteerism and proven leadership qualities, self-discipline, and advanced communication skills. As part of the award, the recipients will participate in study abroad experiences while at FIU.
The first group of Carnival Gold Scholars include Marvah Benjamin, Kristen Linton, Erick Magloire, Andrea Martinez-Bustamante, and Kandys Temes.
“This scholarship will allow me to receive the best hospitality management education possible. In this career path, the possibilities are endless. I am very grateful to Carnival Foundation for investing in me and my academic development,” said Temes.
The FIU Chaplin School’s ties with Carnival Foundation stretch back to 2008, when the company pledged a gift toward the existing Carnival Student Center that opened in 2011 at the Biscayne Bay Campus. The center serves as a hub where students meet to study and develop business relationships and where the school hosts industry roundtables, employer visits, recruitment activities, and job readiness training, among other activities.
“One of Carnival Foundation’s primary goals is to help youth further their education, and through our FIU partnership we’re honored to affect the lives of many deserving students. In a community where travel and tourism is an important part of the local economy, Carnival Foundation is honored to partner with an institution like FIU that is a leader in hospitality education,” said Linda Coll, director of Carnival Foundation.
