A Multi-Generational Sodexo: The Sodexo Memorial Scholarship
By Michele Posehn, Senior Recruiter

What’s consistent among top-rated companies across the nation is the fact that they go beyond your standard medical and dental benefits package and strive to find new ways to affect not only the lives of their employees, but the lives of their families as well. Sodexo is one such top company.

The Sodexo Memorial Scholarship, established after two members of the Sodexo family were lost in the tragic events of September 11, 2001, is just one of the tools the company utilizes to achieve this goal. Each year, employees and the children of employees are eligible to receive $2000 towards their education in the areas of hospitality and culinary arts. Applicants are required to write essays describing why they choose their field of pursuit.

Jacqueline, Regina and Reggie Stewart benefit from Sodexo Memorial Scholarship.

Regina Stewart was one of five recipients in 2008 to receive the Sodexo Memorial Scholarship. Regina, a freshman at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD and daughter of Reggie Stewart, a Senior Director in Talent Acquisition, decided to pursue a degree in Hospitality Management after working part-time in the restaurant business while still in high school. She says it was her desire to work with people and her focus on customer service that attracted her to the field. Her essay focused on her past experience in food and how she would apply that while continuing her education.

Her father Reggie was personally familiar with Sodexo’s focus on education, as he was a past recipient of tuition assistance towards his MBA. “When she was in high school,” he says, “a few things go through your mind as a parent – one being how am I going to pay for college?” Although plans for a college education for Regina have been in place for some time, the Stewarts experienced what so many others do: rising costs in tuition. “Just look at what the cost has evolved from – when she was a baby to today.”

“I knew she had to go to college,” he continues. “She needs to experience the freedom that education brings along with it. As an employee and parent, knowing a scholarship was available was a tremendous help.” The scholarship, coupled with the discounted student loans provided to Sodexo employees by Wells Fargo, ensured Regina could pursue her education.

Regina says that the scholarship truly speaks to Sodexo’s commitment not only to the welfare of its employees, but their families as well. “It shows that the company is supportive,” she says, “and helping children [of employees] get an education so they can be successful like their parents.”

Learn more about Sodexo’s college and internship initiatives by visiting Student Opportunities.