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Current Students

R.C. Kopf Student Achievement Scholarship Award

The prestigious Kopf Prize is awarded to students who have demonstrated exceptional interest in fine wines and restaurant management, and who are committed to practicing the profession in the United States.  

The prize consists of a cash award of $10,000 and an eight-week California and European travel experience valued at an additional $17,000. 

Award Value: $27,000

Hotel School recipients join a group of winning students from other hospitality programs (approximately six students total) to visit and work at wineries, hotels, and restaurants in California, France, and Italy during September and October. All travel arrangements are made and paid for by the Kopf Foundation. The itinerary is generally constructed so that weekends are free for other activities.

Deadline
Completed applications are due by Monday, February 16, 2009.  No late submissions will be accepted.

Application Details

Application Eligibility and Criteria
Application for this $27,000 award is limited to fourth-year students in the School of Hotel Administration whose career interests lie in the operation of full menu, table-service restaurants.  MMH candidates who meet the criteria may also apply. 

The Kopf Foundation stipulates that the recipients must be committed and be able to practice their profession within the hospitality industry in the United States. 

To be eligible for consideration, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Completion of the Food and Beverage core curriculum, and several of the following Food and Beverage elective courses by the conclusion of the current academic year:
    • H ADM 401  Restaurant Entrepreneurship
    • H ADM 430  Introduction to Wines
    • H ADM 431  Wine and Food Pairing Principles and Promotion
    • H ADM 436  Beverage Management                 
    Note: Students who do not meet this first criterion, but whose prior academic or work experience provides a commensurate level of exposure to wines and beverage management are still eligible to apply.
  • Demonstrated record of "hands-on," line-level production experience in foodservice operations. 
  • Good academic standing and demonstrated outstanding talent, commitment, and enthusiasm.

    Note: Although not a requirement, some familiarity with and the ability to communicate in French and/or Italian is highly desirable.

Application
To apply for the Kopf Prize, students must submit the following items to the Office of Student Services in Room 180, Statler Hall:

  • Letter
    (limited to two pages) to the selection committee (who wish to remain anonymous) explaining your interest in the award and describing how the award will contribute to your anticipated career in food and beverage management in the United States.
  • Resume
    including the names and phone numbers of at least two employment references.
  • Cornell transcript             

Applications are due by Monday, February 16, 2009.  No late submissions will be accepted.

The award winners will be announced during HEC.

Recent winners include: Amy Fitzgerald (BS '97), Dori Berlin (MMH '98), Chris McFerran (BS '98), Pete Karpinski (BS '99), Julia Heyer (BS '00), Chris Stambaugh (BS '01), Jesse Fox (BS '02), Treys Ladrido (BS '03), Brian Simon (BS '04) Braden Wages and Mariko Hachiya  (BS '05), Jeff Kohler (BS '06) and Kendra Barron (MMH '06), William Hendrick (BS '07) and Kathryn Holman (BS '07).