Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Educational Foundation has announced four recipients of the Robert Qualls Scholarship.
The winning students, who are pursuing a certificate or degree in the hospitality space and are former or current employees or children of employees of alcohol wholesalers, retailers and suppliers, were awarded $5,000 each to help fund their education expenses, WSWA states. Scholarship winners were selected by an independent panel of judges through a competitive application process.
WSWA Educational Foundation created the Robert Qualls Scholarship Fund thanks to the donations of Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits in memory of Robert Qualls, an extraordinary hospitality and spirits industry veteran and a beloved employee (at different times in his life) for both companies, according to WSWA. The Robert Qualls Scholarship Fund honors Qualls’ legacy by allowing students to follow in his footsteps. Throughout his career, he helped build brands, managed businesses and mentored the next generation of industry professionals.
2024 Robert Qualls Scholarship Recipients
- Megan Dubeansky
- Madelyn McDonald
- Mark Mendel
- Joseph Palazzo
“It is our great honor to recognize and reward these great hospitality students,” said WSWA president and CEO Francis Creighton in a news release. “Congratulations, Joseph, Madelyn, Mark and Megan! Your commitment to excellence and our industry makes us proud to support you.”
Additional 51 Students Receive Scholarship Funds
WSWA Educational Foundation also announced 51 recipients of its annual scholarship program. The winning students, children of wholesaler member company employees, are each awarded $2,000 to help fund their higher education expenses, WSWA states.
There were nearly 350 applications submitted this year. The 51 students selected represent 12 WSWA member companies in 19 states, according to WSWA. Eligible applicants are required to be a dependent of a full-time distributor employee working for a WSWA member company. Beneficiaries were selected by an independent panel of judges through a competitive application process.
“It’s an honor to award this year’s hard working, dedicated students with resources to support their higher education goals,” said Creighton in the release. “The WSWA Educational Foundation is a vital resource for our member company employees, and we are grateful to our members who generously support the fund. Congratulations to the 2024 recipients!”