The ISPA Foundation Announces 2011 Recipient of the Dr. Mary Tabacchi Scholarship
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The International SPA Association Foundation is pleased to announce Florida Gulf Coast University student Jessica Barnett as the 2011 recipient of the Dr. Mary Tabacchi Scholarship. Barnett is enrolled in the university’s resort hospitality management program. As a beneficiary of the scholarship she will receive $2,500 toward her education as well as a trip to the 2011 ISPA Conference & Expo, Nov. 7-9 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nev.
“It’s fantastic that we are able to honor another student with the fourth annual Dr. Mary Tabacchi Scholarship. Jessica is an exemplary example of students enrolled in spa and hospitality management programs around the world,” said ISPA Foundation President Jeff Kohl. “We are looking forward to mentoring her in her future spa endeavors.”
Upon learning of the honor Barnett said, “Being the recipient of the ISPA Foundation’s 2011 Dr. Mary Tabacchi Scholarship will not only enable me to continue to pursue and complete my educational goals, but will also provide me with the fantastic opportunity of attending the 2011 ISPA Conference and Expo.”
Barnett’s interest in the spa industry began when she started working at the Esterra Spa and Salon at the Resort Marina Village in Cape Coral, Fla. She enjoyed working in the spa environment and developed a special interest in the wellness and beauty aspects of the industry. Her ultimate goal is to open a destination spa on the southwest coast of Florida.
With her passion for networking and learning Barnett is looking forward to the 21st annual ISPA Conference & Expo. She explains, “At Conference I hope to gain industry knowledge and meet spa professionals and mentors which will be invaluable to me as a future spa management professional.”
The scholarship is named in honor of industry pioneer and Cornell University Associate, Professor Mary H. Tabacchi, Ph.D., R.D. The Dr. Mary Tabacchi Scholarship was created by the ISPA Foundation to provide a permanent resource for the growth and sustainability of the spa industry. Dr. Tabacchi said, “I am excited and pleased that Jessica Barnett of Florida Gulf Coast University has earned the Mary Tabacchi Scholarship. Her dedication and commitment to the spa world is unsurpassed.”
For more information on the Dr. Mary Tabacchi Scholarship visit the ISPA Foundation Web site.
Created in 1999 to serve the educational and research needs of the spa industry through endowments, curriculum development and scholarships, the ISPA Foundation is the nonprofit 501(c)3 arm of ISPA. The ISPA Foundation’s mission is to improve and enhance the value of the spa experience while supporting its vision of sustainable health and well-being through the advancement of spa culture. For more information on the ISPA Foundation and opportunities for involvement, please visit www.experienceispa.com/ISPAFoundation/.
