Organization:

The American Wine Society Educational Foundation, AWSEF, is a tax-exempt corporation dedicated to providing assistance to graduate-level students attending North American colleges or universities who are pursuing degrees in any aspect of enology, viticulture, or health aspects of wine. Limited scholarships are provided to qualifying applicants.

Though closely affiliated with its sister organization -- the American Wine Society -- the AWSEF operates entirely independently from the AWS. Its mission is to encourage university graduate students who plan to enter the wine industry or teaching profession. The AWSEF was incorporated in May 1993 as an IRS Sect. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in New Jersey. The trustees, elected from among the AWS membership, are responsible for fund raising and selection of the scholarship recipients.

Membership in the American Wine Society automatically entitles one to membership in the AWSEF. Nonmembers of AWS can become members of AWSEF for a donation of $25 or more.

Bylaws of the AWS Educational Foundation (PDF)

Scholarships and Grants:

Competition for the scholarships is open to all North American citizens who are full-time university graduate students and who express an intent to work professionally in the fields of enology, viticulture, or health aspects of wine. Membership in the American Wine Society is not required to apply for an AWSEF scholarship.

The American Wine Society Educational Foundation annually awards academic scholarships (currently $3,000) to support university graduate students pursuing an academic career in enology, viticulture, or health aspects of wine. Applications must be complete and postmarked by March 31 of each calendar year to be eligible for scholarship award beginning in the fall term of the following academic year. Award recipients are traditionally announced about June 1 of each year.

For more information or forms please look elsewhere on this website or contact:

Les Sperling
AWSEF Vice President for Student Affairs & Scholarships
1134 Prospect Ave.
Bethlehem, PA 18018-4914
lhs0@lehigh.edu
(610) 865-2401 evenings

 

AWS Educational Foundation 2007 Board of Trustees
President Dr. Robert (Bob) C. Kryter 212 Chogi Lane Loudon , TN 37774 HP: 865-408-9828 rkryter@aol.com	V.P. Scholarships and Student Affairs Dr. Les Sperling 1134 Prospect Ave. Bethlehem, PA 18018-4914 HP: 610-865-2401 WP: 610-758-3834 lhs0@lehigh.edu	Secretary Dr. Robert (Bob) Miller 416 Bethlehem Road Dreyfus, KY 40385 HP: 859-986-3921 JRMwine@aol.com
Treasurer Mr. David Frellsen 472 MC 2032 Yellville, AR 72687 HP: 870-436-9494 frellsen@southshore.com   V.P. Corporate Development Mr. Richard (Dick) Marsden 130 Pena Blanca Loop Las Cruces, NM 88011 HP: 505-522-2414 WP: 505-678-1558 marsden@ americanwinesociety.org	V.P. Private Development Ms. Joyce Vecchiolli 144 Rodney Circle Bryn Mawr , PA 19010 HP: 610-525-1178 jvecc@earthlink.net
AWS 2007 Representative Mr. Albert Guber Jr. 12023 Thornbrooke Court Bristow, VA 20136 H: 703-349-20136 guber@americanwinesociety.org