Faces of the Valley: Highlands graduate Josephine Vance earns prestigious $25,000 Statler Foundation scholarship at IUP

If her dream came true, Highlands graduate Josephine Vance would someday work as a Disney wedding planner and coordinate events at the happiest place on Earth.

A senior at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Vance just got a major boost toward her goal, earning the prestigious Statler Foundation Scholarship of Excellence worth up to $25,000. It can be used to pay for tuition, books and other fees.

“I was so happy and so shocked,” said Vance, 22.

“My family just happened to be over the day the award came. I came home from work and opened the letter and just started crying. It boosted my confidence because I thought, ‘You know, I really can do it if I put my mind to it.”

The academic scholarship is awarded for character and commitment to the industry.

This summer, Vance worked as an intern at Armstrong Farms in Saxonburg, an event and lodging venue that specializes in weddings.

Vance liked working behind the scenes to be part of events that ranged from elaborate to rustic to small and intimate.

“Wedding planning is something that I’ve always wanted to do and working in that field as an intern this summer made me fall in love with it even more,” Vance said. “Seeing different visions and helping bring them to life, making someone’s perfect day happen, I loved it.

“I really enjoy working with people — it can be frustrating at times, but I know this is what I want to do.”

The scholarship from the Statler Foundation was created from the estate of the late hotelier Ellsworth M. Statler. A self-made millionaire who worked his way from bellhop to industry legend, Statler founded the largest premier hotel chain of his day.

Vance is majoring in hotel, restaurant, tourism and event management.

A resident of Harrison, she is a dean’s list student and a member of the Student Activity Committee and the Meetings Professional International Club.

She credited her advisor, IUP Professor Stephen Shiring, for helping to guide her to a career path.

The teacher said Statler’s service guidelines are still applicable today.

“They are golden rules which guide service behavior to creating loyal guests,” he said.

“Ms. Vance exemplifies E.M. Statler’s dedication and passion in the service of others and we are most proud of her accomplishment.”

Earlier this year, the Statler Foundation gifted $125,000 to IUP to construct a hotel front desk simulation lab for students. It is under construction in a classroom in IUP’s Eberly College of Business.

IUP’s Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism and Event Management program enrolls more than 100 majors each year, making it the second largest undergraduate hospitality program of study in the state.

For Vance, holding a variety of entry-level jobs has strengthened her work ethic, she said.

Since high school, Vance has worked as a server at Dairy Queen, a desk clerk for a real estate agency and a mail carrier.

“Ultimately, I want to have a resume that shows that I’ve grown in many ways,” she said. “These other jobs made me think about my strengths and made me realize that I love working with people.

“I’ve had a glimpse of my potential future, and I’m excited at the prospect of what’s to come. I’m very glad that I trusted my gut, took a leap of faith and went to school even when it seemed scary and unattainable.”