Scholarship of Excellence

The Statler Foundation is a private foundation that supports students in a hotel/hotel management program. It was created in 1934 through the directives contained in the Will of Ellsworth M. Statler, one of the most creative and resourceful hoteliers in history. For nearly 40 years, Statler’s widow, Alice Seidler Statler, served as Chairwoman of the Foundation’s trustees.

The Foundation is now governed by eleven lifetime trustees. The current board was constituted by former Surrogate Court Judges Joseph S. Mattina and Barbara Howe and present Surrogate Court Judge Acea Mosey.

The Statler Foundation trustees award more than $1,000,000 annually in grants and scholarships that support the hotel industry. They have taken a proactive role in grant making since 1992 with a number of Western New York based awards. Recipients include Buffalo State College, Cornell University, Erie Community College, Niagara University, Trocaire College, Niagara County Community College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Culinary Institute of America, Mercyhurst College and Florida International University.

The Statler Scholarship of Excellence, established in 1997, is awarded to third and fourth year students in a hotel/hotel management program. It is based upon academic excellence, character, financial need and commitment to the industry. Each scholarship is worth up to $25,000 for the academic year and may be used for tuition, fees and books. In 2022, the Foundation awarded scholarships to students attending Buffalo State College, Cornell University, Culinary Institute of America, Florida International University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Johnson & Wales University, Mercyhurst College, Michigan State University, Paul Smith’s College, Pennsylvania State College, Purdue University, Niagara University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Denver, University of South Carolina.

2025-2026 Recipients