Two Niagara University students were recognized for their commitment to the club industry with the prestigious Joe Perdue Scholarship, which is awarded annually by The Club Foundation of the Club Management Association of America.
Senior Althea Simmons and junior Tina Krajacic were among the 13 students selected for the honor, which provides tuition support for students seeking careers in club management.
Simmons, a Syracuse native, is majoring in tourism/event and meeting management. She serves as the president of NU’s CMMA student chapter and developed a passion for the private club industry through internships with the Monroe Golf Club in Pittsford and the Country Club of Buffalo. She plans to pursue a career as a banquet and events manager after graduation, eventually becoming a general manager.
“When I say that I have a passion for the club industry, I truly mean it,” she said. “Receiving this scholarship allows me to further my education and expand my network, all while doing what I love. The Club Management Association of America has impacted me and my future, and I hope to one day impact other students who are involved in CMAA just as I have.”
Krajacic, a Lancaster native, is a hotel and restaurant management major who is focusing on luxury hospitality operations. She is vice president of the NU CMAA, has completed internships with the Country Club of Buffalo and the Niagara Riverside Resort, and worked the concession stand at Highmark Stadium during Buffalo Bills home games. In whatever job role she holds, she wants to make an impact on people’s lives through the experiences she provides, she said, and loves the club industry “because it is filled with so many passionate individuals who truly care about their job and want to help others.”
“I am incredibly grateful to have received the Joe Perdue Scholarship,” she said. “This scholarship will make it possible for me to further advance my career in the club industry and make an impact on my school community. The Club Foundation has helped me in the pursuit of a club career because it has allowed me to meet so many incredible people and network with club managers, as well as students. The work that the Club Foundation does is truly inspiring, and I strive to take this passion into my own life now and far into the future!”
Established in 1988, the scholarship honors Joe Perdue, CCM, CHE, one of the club industry’s foremost hospitality educators. From 1986 to 2015, Perdue served as academic advisor for the Club Management Association of America, where he developed the Business Management Institute (BMI) and coordinated more than 300 weeklong BMI programs for 10,000 professionals. His impact extended globally, establishing education programs in China, South Africa, Europe, and Canada.