Endowed scholarship honors legacy and 50-year hospitality career of former CEO Stephen Weisz

ORLANDO, Fla. – November 14, 2023 – Marriott Vacations Worldwide (NYSE: VAC) is proud to announce its inaugural “Weisz Scholars” for the 2023-2024 school year. Through a partnership with the University of Central Florida (UCF) Rosen College of Hospitality Management, UCF seniors Jida Awa and Christian DeMichiel will each receive a scholarship of $5,000 toward their tuitionallowing themto focus on their studies and professional development. 

In December 2022, Marriott Vacations Worldwide (MVW) – a leader in leisure travel with a portfolio of trusted, globally recognized travel brands – and UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management established The Stephen P. Weisz Endowed Scholarship for Hospitality Management to support the growth and development of future hospitality leaders for generations to come. The endowment was made in honor of former MVW CEO Stephen Weisz’s legacy and his five decades of service and leadership to the company. The $250,000 gift from MVW to UCF provides at least two scholarships of $5,000 to students at the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management each year in perpetuity.

“We’re thrilled to honor Jida and Christian as the inaugural Weisz Scholars and look forward to the ways this scholarship will support their growth,” said John E. Geller, President and CEO of MVW. “Steve was deeply committed to mentoring and fostering growth in the hospitality industry, and we are grateful to be honoring his legacy through this scholarship program.”

Jida and Christian were selected by a committee of Rosen College of Hospitality Management professors based on grades, academic standing, a demonstrated commitment to community service and an interest in the vacation ownership industry.

Since 2020, MVW has hired more than 200 UCF Rosen graduates through its strong recruitment at the school. For information regarding current career opportunities at Marriott Vacations Worldwide, please visit careers.marriottvacationsworldwide.com.

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About Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation is a leading global vacation company that offers vacation ownership, exchange, rental and resort and property management, along with related businesses, products, and services. The Company has over 120 vacation ownership resorts and approximately 700,000 owner families in a diverse portfolio that includes some of the most iconic vacation ownership brands. The Company also operates exchange networks and membership programs comprised of more than 3,200 affiliated resorts in over 90 countries and territories and provides management services to other resorts and lodging properties. As a leader and innovator in the vacation industry, the Company upholds the highest standards of excellence in serving its customers, investors and associates while maintaining exclusive, long-term relationships with Marriott International, Inc. and an affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corporation for the development, sales and marketing of vacation ownership products and services. For more information, please visit www.marriottvacationsworldwide.com.

About the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management
UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management located in Orlando, Florida, offers students an unrivaled opportunity to learn and work in the heart of hospitality. Named the nation’s best, and the second best in the world, the hospitality college is uniquely positioned to educate the next generation of global hospitality, tourism, events, entertainment and senior living management leaders through internationally recognized faculty, innovative academic programs, cutting-edge research and strong industry and community partnerships. To learn more, visit hospitality.ucf.edu