Montana State University sophomore Mariah Penner received a $7,500 scholarship from the Northwest Chapter of NEWH, a hospitality industry organization, and attended the group’s October gala in Seattle.
Penner, from San Luis Obispo, California, is studying business hospitality and international business in the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship. The scholarship provides financial assistance and an opportunity to build professional relationships as she considers careers in corporate events, sports events or luxury hotels.
The sophomore from San Luis Obispo, California, applied months before learning she had won an award from the Northwest Chapter of NEWH, a hospitality industry organization. The funding allows her to reduce hours at multiple jobs and concentrate more on school.
Penner is majoring in business hospitality and minoring in international business in Montana State’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship. She attended the chapter’s October gala in Seattle with program director David Pearlman.
Pearlman introduced students to the scholarship during an Introduction to Hospitality class. He said Penner’s leadership and commitment were evident in her work as vice president of the university’s Student Hospitality Association.
“Mariah brings exceptional energy to the classroom and demonstrates standout leadership,” Pearlman said. He described the gala as a valuable opportunity to connect with experienced industry professionals.
Penner said meeting people working in different sectors of hospitality opened her eyes to opportunities she had not previously considered. Conversations included hotel interior design, corporate events and career paths that could begin in Las Vegas.
She originally planned to study environmental science but switched to hospitality after exploring interests in corporate and sports events and luxury hotels. Her aunt’s experience planning corporate events helped inspire her interest.
Penner has worked with visitors at Hearst Castle in California, at the Lark Hotel in downtown Bozeman and in restaurants. Those customer-facing jobs provided practical exposure to the industry.
She helped establish the Student Hospitality Association at MSU and coordinates speakers and visits to local businesses. The organization is intended to show students the different professional tracks available in restaurants, hotels, events and related fields.
Montana State’s business hospitality program is in its second year and has 78 students enrolled. Pearlman hopes the relationship with NEWH will develop into a continuing scholarship pipeline benefiting future students.
David Pearlman, director of MSU’s business hospitality program, praised Penner’s leadership as vice president of the Student Hospitality Association. Penner has worked at Hearst Castle, the Lark Hotel in Bozeman and restaurants. The university’s business hospitality degree is in its second year and enrolls 78 students.