At HD‘s Platinum Circle Gala tomorrow, Andrea Thomas, vice president of education, NEWH Inc. and Deborah Herman, owner, Fabric Innovations, will present the inaugural Fabric Innovations Legacy Scholarship to a deserving hospitality student in need.
“There really is no substitute for getting to meet these students and hearing first-hand what these scholarships mean to them,” says Lohmiller. “Some of them could not have finished their education without the scholarship dollars. It’s inspiring, moving, and a great source of pride for NEWH as an organization.”
Thanks to a $30,000, three-year scholarship commitment from Fabric Innovations, NEWH will award the $10,000 scholarship each year to a student pursuing hospitality design or management. This year the NEWH Inc. scholarship committee selected Karen (Karahm) Paik to receive the $10,000 Fabric Innovations Legacy Scholarship. A student at Cornell School of Hotel Administration, Paik is working toward her bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. In conjunction with the Cornell program, she will also receive an associate’s from the Culinary Institute of America.
“NEWH is thrilled that Deborah Herman and Fabric Innovations have committed to this generous multi-year scholarship,” says Shelia Lohmiller, executive director, NEWH Inc. “And presenting this scholarship in the prestigious company of Hospitality Design‘s Platinum Circle Gala makes the occasion even more special.”
Over the years, Hospitality Design magazine has celebrated the lifetime achievement of more than 100 industry leaders-designers, architects, hoteliers, restaurateurs-with the Platinum Circle designation. This year’s honorees are Pamela Anderson, Anderson/Miller Ltd.; Laurie Miller, Anderson/Miller Ltd.; Daniel Boulud, the Dinex Group; Margaret McMahon, Wimberly Interiors; and Ian Schrager, Ian Schrager Company. The industry luminaries will be lauded at the Platinum Circle Awards Gala, a black-tie festive dinner at the Conrad Hotel in New York City, on November 12th .
“When I was in college, I received an academic scholarship and multiple grants, however, the fees at a private university were enormous,” says Herman. “My goal is to help students pursuing their dreams in hospitality to graduate with as little debt as possible. That’s why I wanted to commit to a scholarship contribution I felt would make a significant impact in their financial obligations.”
In addition to operating Fabric Innovations, Herman serves as the international ambassador for NEWH – the Hospitality Industry Network and has dedicated more than 20 years to help promote and mentor young women in the industry.
