NRF gives $100K to next generation of retailers

The best and the brightest college students interested in retail careers will receive $100,000 in grants from the National Retail Federation (NRF) on Jan. 11 in New York City.

The NRF Foundation will award the scholarships to 24 outstanding students as a part of its Next Generation Scholarship program.

This year students will also be awarded a travel scholarship to attend NRF’s Big Show and NRF Student Program in New York City.

Five of the 24 students have been selected as finalists to interview with a panel of executive judges for four $10,000 grants and a $25,000 Next Generation Scholarship. The $25,000 winner will be revealed on center stage at the foundation’s inaugural gala on Jan. 11.

“It becomes more of a challenge each year to narrow our finalists to only five as there are so many passionate, outstanding students to recognize,” said NRF SVP and NRF Foundation Executive Director Ellen Davis. “That passion and enthusiasm coming from the student community is just what retailers are looking for as they seek young, top talent to become the next generation of retail leaders.

The five finalists for the 2015 NRF Next Generation Scholarship are:

• 
  Biancha Felix, LIM College


• 
  Courtney Hunter, Philadelphia University


• 
  Sarah Kendzior, University of Minnesota


• 
  Garrett Ledbetter, Indiana University


• 
  Ashley Nudge, University of North Texas

The NRF Foundation is the nonprofit arm of the National Retail Federation and is funded in part by donations from retail industry supporters.