The Wine Society of Texas Announces Scholarship Grant Program

The Wine Society of Texas Announces Scholarship Grant Program

The WST will provide up to $4,000 in assistance for the education, internship or field study, and appreciation of wine

On Wednesday, October 1, 2008, The Wine Society of Texas (WST), a 501c3 non-profit educational organization, in conjunction with the annual WST member meeting announced that it is accepting applications for its annual Scholarship Grant Program. In order to apply for the grant, individuals must be:

(a) attending institutions around the State of Texas studying viticulture and oenology, or (b) pursuing winery internships in Texas, or (c) involved with Texas winemaking or field studies.

Grants may be given in the amount totaling up to $4,000 by the WST to promote the wine education focusing on improving grape growing and wine making in the State of Texas. The scholarship program is consistent with the founding idea of WST and its continued mission to enhance the appreciation of wines, foster the knowledge of oenology and viticulture, support charitable activities, promote winemaking, and to educate wine tasters throughout the State.

According to Ms. Elizabeth Lutton WST President “The WST Scholarship program offers financial assistance for tuition, books, or for related travel expenses for individuals registered or in a program of study with a Texas university or college offering accredited courses in viticulture or oenology. Financial assistance can also be provided for winery internships in Texas or for Texas winemaker studies. The funding for the WST Scholarship program is provided from charitable donations, local WST Chapter fund raising events, and various WST statewide wine events such as the wine education seminars.”

WST has awarded over $15,000 in grants over the past 4 years. The awards helped to sponsor valuable research for the Texas wine industry including the Blanc du Bois Conference and Texas Summer Wine Symposium, and financial assistance for several students.

The WST will be accepting 2008 applications through 31 December 2008. All applications must be returned by this date, fully completed, to The Wine Society of Texas. Applicants are required to fill out the WST Scholarship Application, which will be reviewed by the WST Scholarship Committee. The committee may recommend single or multiple awards depending on the quality of applications received. All decisions will be final and applying does not guarantee receiving a grant. The WST scholarship award(s) will be announced in early 2009.

For more information about the scholarship program or the WST please visit our website at www.winesocietyoftexas.org.

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The Wine Society of Texas (www.winesocietyoftexas.org), headquartered in Houston, Texas, was started in 1996 and received its 501(c)3 non-profit status in 1999. It has about 400 members in eleven chapters around the State of Texas. The WST mission is: to enhance the appreciation of wine, especially Texas wines; educate the experienced as well as the beginning wine taster; promote the wine makers, and grape growers; foster the knowledge of oenology and viticulture; help in charitable activities throughout the state of Texas; and promote the responsible consumption of wine. It organizes events that promote appreciation of wine through education in a comfortable social setting. The WST offers annual grants from its Scholarship Fund to assist in wine education, internships and field training.

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WST SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION – FALL 2008
Name:
Street Address:
City, State, Zip:
Phone:
Email:
Institution / Organization:
Field of Study:
Graduation Date:
Current Grade point: _____(provide copy of transcript as applicable)

Is this application for continuing education ___, internship ___, or field study ___ (check one).

If more room is needed for response in any of areas listed below, please append additional sheets, resume or related information.

Summarize the proposed use of the financial assistance as it relates to grape growing, winemaking or wine
appreciation:

Summarize your personal long range goals and relative importance of wine education:

Summarize any financial need considerations:

Summary Relevant background and experience (include resume & transcripts):

By applying for the WST grant you agree to provide a summary of the usage of the grant monies received by 1 June 2009. In addition, you may be asked to present at a local WST function. Do you agree with both of these conditions? Please check a response. ____ Yes ____ No If Not List Reason:

Please fax or email completed application by 31 December 2008 to: The Wine Society of Texas, Doug Scheiding, Scholarship Committee Chairman, Fax # – 210-348-8979 or direct email: doug@winesocietyoftexas.org.