Seward, Torres Earn Scholarships at Class Act Event

Photo Submitted

Alumnus Lonnie Terrell presents the George and Karen Terrell Memorial and Endowed Scholarship to student Emily Seward.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Emily Seward and Bonafacio Lopez Torres, a pair of hospitality and restaurant management majors in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, were each awarded scholarships at the A Class Act V event Feb. 22-23.

A Class Act is a fundraiser and career networking event for the hospitality and restaurant management program held at the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs, Ark.

Seward, a junior from Fort Wayne, Ind., received the George and Karen Terrell Memorial and Endowed Scholarship while Torres, who is originally from Guanajuato, Mexico, but now lives in Lonoke, Ark., received the Marty Roenigk Memorial Scholarship. The scholarships are $500 each.

The George and Karen Terrell Memorial and Endowed Scholarship is named for the parents of 2011 hospitality and restaurant management graduate Lonnie Terrell. Terrell was involved in the first three Class Act events and his parents attended each one. They passed away not long after the 2011 event and the endowed scholarship was established in their honor to go to a deserving undergraduate student each year. The family selects the scholarship recipient.

“Emily was selected because she not only is a high-quality student, but she also works about 40 hours a week in a supervisory role at Sassy’s in Fayetteville,” said Bob Harrington, professor in food, human nutrition and hospitality. “Lonnie indicated the fact she is both a full-time student and working full-time reminded the family of George’s university experience when he needed to work to support himself while in school.”

The Marty Roenigk Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the former owner of the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa. Roenigk and his wife Elise have provided the host site for all five Class Act events. Marty passed away in 2009 and the scholarship is awarded based on hospitality and service to others.

“Bonafacio is another high-quality student,” said Harrington. “He was selected by the faculty for his dedication and commitment of service to others. We are very proud of both recipients.”  

This year’s event gave industry recruiters and friends of the Bumpers College an opportunity to see students in action and made them available for job interviews. The theme, “The Physiology of Taste,” focused on authentic Arkansas hospitality, cuisine and entertainment. Dinner, featuring an Arkansas-inspired menu and entertainment were provided on Friday and a breakfast buffet was provided on Saturday.

Ted Belden, operator of the Inn at Carnall Hall on campus, was presented the 2013 A Class Act Industry Award for Hospitality and Jack DeBoer, author of “Risk Only Money” and creator of the extended-stay lodging concept, was the guest speaker.

The event raised approximately $13,000 for the program. Fifty students participated in the service and 40 interviewed for jobs. Eighteen different companies were represented at the career and networking fair.