Spa People in the News
The International SPA Association
Foundation Creates the Mary Tabacchi Scholarship
LEXINGTON, Ky. – December 20, 2006 - The International
SPA Association Foundation creates a scholarship named in honor of spa
industry pioneer Cornell University Associate Professor Mary H. Tabacchi,
Ph.D., R.D.
“$50,000 has already been raised and fundraising
initiatives have just begun. The ISPA Foundation’s first scholarship
encourages continued growth for the spa industry by helping prepare
those who are entering this exciting career,” said ISPA Foundation
President John Korpi. “Through Mary’s vision and passion as
a spa industry academic pioneer, she has helped to develop a significant
number of today's leading spa professionals, as well as the leaders
of tomorrow.”
Dr. Tabacchi began teaching at Cornell University in 1972.
She has a Ph.D. in biochemical nutrition, biostatistics and is a well-respected
author and researcher. She has published numerous papers and books on
nutrition, spa and other related subjects and travels around the world
speaking about the spa industry.
“Students are what makes us all tick – their
creativity, their energy and ability to think outside of the box. Many
of Cornell’s former students are now spa movers and shakers and
will be the spa leaders of tomorrow,” said Tabacchi. “Who
wouldn’t love the part of the hospitality industry that makes people
well and happy, that helps people be the best they can be, that helps
them achieve their dreams?”
The $1,500USD scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate
student who has completed at least one year of college and is seeking
a spa-related degree with a demonstrated interest in spa management.
The award recipient will also receive a complimentary registration,
airfare and accommodations to attend the ISPA Conference & Expo
or ISPA International Spa & Wellness Conference and Exhibition in
Asia. Scholarship applications are expected to be available in 2007.
The Mary Tabacchi scholarship is just one example of how
the ISPA Foundation is investing in the future of the industry. The
scholarship is one part of the newly-established endowment fund, which
was created to provide a permanent resource for the growth and sustainability
of the spa industry. The fund is focused primarily on education and
research. For more information on the endowment fund or the ISPA Foundation
please visit ISPA’s Web site at www.experienceispa.com.
Or, to contribute to the Mary Tabacchi Scholarship or endowment fund,
please contact ISPA’s Director of Research and Development Stefanie
Ashley at stefanie.ashley@ispastaff.com.
About the ISPA Foundation
The ISPA Foundation is the 501(c) 3 arm of ISPA and was created in 1999
to serve the educational and research needs of the spa industry. The
ISPA Foundation’s mission is to improve and enhance the value of
the spa experience; its vision is to advance spa culture to sustain
health and well-being. The ISPA Foundation’s objectives include
being the educational source for the spa industry, establishing definitive
research that validates spa industry related topics and creating an
endowment that sustains the ISPA Foundation in perpetuity.
