The Missouri Travel Council has awarded two $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing hospitality-related majors at Missouri State University.

Catherine Blankenship is a junior majoring in hospitality and restaurant administration with a minor in general business.

Matthew Evans is a senior majoring in hospitality management with a minor in business.

The Missouri Travel Council awards the “Bob Smith Tourism Scholarship” annually and over the past 13 years has provided $22,000 in scholarships to 22 students.

Scholarship applicants are required to meet several criteria, including being a full-time student at an accredited college or university in Missouri with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. They also must complete an application that includes a statement of goals, future plans and why they are pursuing a career in hospitality and tourism, along with

information about community involvement; academic activities and achievements, and hospitality and tourism-related experience.

The Missouri Travel Council is the official private sector umbrella organization for the tourism industry in Missouri. The primary aim of the nonprofit organization is to provide economic, social and educational benefits to its broadly-based membership through professional development, public advocacy and cooperative state and regional marketing efforts.

For more information, call 573-636-2814 or visit www.missouritravel.com.