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The Rita and Navin Dimond Fellowship Program Application
Please complete this application by typing in the following information and essay below.
Student Information
Andrew Hensley
MSU Denver Catalog Year 2012 Credit Hours Completed 90
Home Phone 303-425-4930
Cell Phone 720-331-6326
ConnectU Email [email protected] Alternate Email [email protected]
Mailing Address 5293 West 68th Place
City Arvada State Colorado Zip 80003
Essay
Please write an essay of at least 1,000 words describing your background, interests and qualifications to be considered as an applicant to the Rita and Navin Dimond Fellowship Program at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Insert Essay Here
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* Dimond Fellows applicants must submit this application and essay, resume and names and contact information for three references to Professor Carol Krugman, [email protected] by October 31, 2014.
I sometimes think of a person as a jigsaw puzzle whose contributing pieces help to bring the
completed picture of the person into focus. The contributing pieces include: familial influences,
personal characteristics and goals along with life experiences. Beginning with this jigsaw puzzle
metaphor, I hope to share my story in an effort to be considered for this wonderful opportunity
in the Rita and Navin Dimond Fellowship Program at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
I am so excited for the opportunity to work with and learn from talented mentors in the
fascinating field of hospitality. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Family Influences
All human beings are a reflection of the influences upon their lives. As a fourth generation
Coloradan and third son of a retired school teacher and an airline reservations agent I have
observed my parents’ example of working in service to others. My parents internalized the
value and honor of hard work from their parents. My grandparents were from a very humble
economic background. My maternal grandpa worked as a taxi driver and later as a delivery
driver and alongside my loving grandma raised seven children. They instilled their children with
a thirst for learning and a desire to help others. Their children pursued college degrees and
careers in education and nursing. My mother and her siblings paid for their education via a
combination of part time work and educational loans as I myself am doing now. My paternal
grandfather worked as a commercial painter and with my grandmother raised two sons.
My parents emulated my grandparents’ example of encouraging their children to find and
foster their career dreams. They emphasized through example the importance of developing a
strong work ethic which included: reliability, accountability, respect for others and loyalty. I
recall the many times that our parents managed to combine priorities of family and work. They
provided quality efforts at work despite personal or health challenges. The tradition of positive
role modeling from our grandparents and parents has helped shape me into a person who also
works diligently with a commitment for excellence.
Personal Goals
I have worked to emulate my family’s love of learning and being of service to others and
have developed a distinctive work ethic via my own personal approach. I chose the hospitality
field because it most closely embodies my view of being of service to people who travel for
leisure or must travel for business. I have found travel to be a broadening and educational and
well as an enlightening experience. I believe that travel can foster understanding among
people. Maya Angelou once said; “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry but . . .it can introduce
the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” Because I
believe in the importance of travel, I also believe in the need for hospitality that is responsive to
the traveler. I believe strongly in attention to detail while meeting the needs of each customer. I
hope to provide this customer service as a member of a hotel or event management team.
Personal Characteristics and Life Experiences
I have worked diligently throughout high school and college to prepare myself to be a
positive contributor in the world. I have strived to develop the qualities that I hope future
employers will appreciate. These qualities include: enthusiasm, commitment, communication
and interpersonal skills along with organizational skills and ability to work as a team member as
well as demonstrating individual initiative. Each of my experiences has helped shape me into
the person I am. As a LINK LEADER in high school, I learned about the importance of mentoring
others. I helped younger students navigate academic as well as personal and interpersonal
challenges. I was chosen to serve as Senior class president at Arvada High School. During that
tenure, I learned about the value of team work and clear communication skills when we
planned school and community-wide activities. These included: Leadership Arvada Community
Service Projects, Trick or Treat Street for community children, Empty Bowls Project for the
Arvada Food Bank as well as planning a myriad of assemblies and dances for the school body.
As a member of the National Honor Society in both high school and at the university level, I
recognize the importance of setting academic goals and working to achieve them. As a member
of two honor choirs, musical production companies, basketball and track teams, I have learned
that striving for my personal best effort while encouraging my teammates’ similar efforts often
results in the greater goal of our team’s success.
Work /University Experience
As an employee for three years in the logistics department at Target , I was awarded the status
of “Weekend Warrior” multiple times. This award recognized the employee who met the
company’s logistic goals while providing excellent customer service. I left Targe t to find
employment within the hospitality field. I worked briefly for a newly opened jazz club in
Denver as a prep cook at Syntax. Although the experience was valuable, I had to leave because
they were only able to offer me eight hours of work per week. I applied at several hotels and
was hired at the Renaissance hotel in Broomfield. As an employee at the Renaissance I serve
as a team member in the event department. We are responsible for setting up and cleaning of
several venues within the hotel. I also work in the hotel’s restaurant as a server. As part of my
cross-training, I have also worked as a guest room attendant. I appreciate the opportunity to
work together with team members to achieve goals.
I am classified as a Senior in the Hospitality, Tourism and Events program at Metropolitan
State University of Denver. I have completed ninety credits while maintaining a 3.2 grade point
average. I’m currently enrolled in fifteen credits. I plan to graduate in the spring of 2016.
Following graduation, I plan to find a position in hotel/event management.
In conclusion, I believe that the jigsaw pieces of my life including family role modeling,
positive attitude and personality characteristics combined with life experience and a desire to
work hard while working toward common goals have prepared me for this wonderful
opportunity to apply for this fellowship. Thank you once again for your consideration.
