Scholarship named after past chairman of NRAEF Board of Trustees and long-time professor at Purdue University

CHICAGO – The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation announced today that it’s Board of Trustees has created the NRAEF Ray Kavanaugh Scholarship, an annual award, in recognition of his service and dedication to students, higher education, and the restaurant and foodservice industry. Raphael R. Kavanaugh, Ed.D, FMP, was past chairman of the NRAEF Board of Trustees and professor and department head of the Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Purdue University. The Ray Kavanaugh Scholarship Fund, presented through the NRAEF’s Scholarships Program, will award one $5,000 scholarship each year to an exceptional undergraduate student pursuing an advanced education in a restaurant and foodservice degree program.

“Ray Kavanaugh dedicated his life to the education and development of young people from around the country, and this scholarship is a way to continue his legacy for years to come,” stated Linda Bacin, chairman, NRAEF Board of Trustees. “Ray has been instrumental in the growth and success of the NRAEF over the past ten years, and we wanted to demonstrate our tremendous gratitude to him for all he gave to us and this industry by establishing this scholarship in his name.”

In his role at Purdue University, Dr. Kavanaugh led a department that is ranked in the top five nationally for undergraduate and graduate degree programs in hospitality and tourism. Dr. Kavanaugh served ten years as a trustee for the NRAEF, during which time he served as chairman of its Board of Trustees. He was a Conti Distinguished Professor at Pennsylvania State University’s School of Hotel, Restaurant and Recreation Management. He was a founding fellow of the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation and served on the Board of Trustees for the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA). He authored more than 90 publications, and his academic experiences prior to Purdue included the University of Central Florida followed by Florida State University.

Additionally, Dr. Kavanaugh served five years as director of human resources with Red Lobster Restaurants, Inc. and as vice president of product development with the Educational Institute AH&LA. Dr. Kavanaugh held a doctorate in educational psychology with an emphasis in organization development from Temple University, a master’s degree in counseling from Ball State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Coe College. In May, 2008, Kavanaugh was awarded the NRAEF’s Michael E. Hurst Lifetime of Achievement in Education Award, in honor of his dedication to educating and enhancing the lives of young people.

To download a full biography and headshot, please visit http://www.nraef.org/headline/kavanaugh.asp.

The NRAEF’s Scholarships Program awards more than $1 million in scholarships ($1.7 million in 2008 alone) to high school and college students and teachers pursuing their education in the restaurant and foodservice industry. These scholarships are made possible through the philanthropic support of individuals and corporations from all sectors of the restaurant, foodservice, hospitality and education industries. Four years after receiving their scholarships, more than 80 percent of NRAEF scholarship recipients are still studying and/or working in the foodservice industry. To learn more about the NRAEF Scholarships Program, please visit http://www.nraef.org/scholarshipsor call 800.765.2122 ext. 6738.