CREDIT: RICHARD BAIN
Susan Eldridge and Brittany Poirier, second year travel and tourism students at Fanshawe, were awarded the 2015 OMCA national scholarship.

Fanshawe College students Susan Eldridge and Brittany Poirier were awarded industry scholarships from the Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA) recognizing students enrolled in a travel and tourism program.

OMCA is an organization that “provides high value opportunities for their members to grow their business,” according to the OMCA website.

“It is the heart of OMCA that embraces the road to sustainable and progressive development of the industry by providing advocacy and education with the aid of technology to members across North America.”

Each year students of tourism and travel programs across North America are encouraged to apply for the OMCA scholarship.

“The OMCA Development Fund was established by the OMCA to serve the public by encouraging expanded motor coach travel and tourism through the support of research, education, training and skill development for individuals and organizations connected to the tourism and motor coach industry,” the website said.

“This industry scholarship assists students enrolled in a travel or tourism program at recognized schools, accredited institutions, community colleges and universities, whose intentions are to enter the motor coach and/or the tour and travel industry. It is awarded to students based on outstanding academic achievement and industry and/or community involvement, and intent to enter the industry.”

Both Eldridge and Poirier are second year students in Fanshawe’s Tourism and Travel program.

Eldridge noted that the application process was lengthy.

“You must send in your courses that you have completed and your marks along with each course. They also want to get to know you as a person; they would like to know your dreams for the future as well. They ask about many topics, such as your demonstration of leadership, academic achievement, your GPA, extra circular activities, your current awards, bursaries and recognition.”

However the process was worth it for Eldridge not only because of her success, but also because it gave her the opportunity to reflect on all of the support and encouragement that she has received from faculty and students during her studies at Fanshawe.

Eldridge attributes her positive experience at Fanshawe primarily to the faculty.

“It really comes down to the immense dedication of all my professors and all the people behind the scenes that we may never come in contact with. They all want their students to succeed and they go to great lengths for each and every student. I really don’t know how I will ever be able to repay them for their dedication to higher education.”

Visit OMCA’s website at omca.com/awards-scholarships to learn more about the scholarships and the 2016 application.