Craig Kennedy Awarded Bollenbach Family Scholarship

Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport

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. November 26, 2008

MEMPHIS, TN, November 25, 2008. The Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport is proud to announce that one of their committed and valuable employees has been awarded the Bollenbach Family Scholarship in 2008. Of the 24 Hilton Family employees who were awarded this achievement, Craig Kennedy is honored to have been chosen despite strict selection process. Applicants are chosen based on academic achievements, participation and achievement in other areas such as sports or the arts, and involvement in community activities.

Kennedy was hired in July 1999 as a van driver at the Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport and was promoted to the engineering department, transferring to the Embassy Suites Downtown St. Paul location in 2008 after displaying a long-standing capacity and desire to learn quickly. Kennedy also won the Twin Cities Hospitality Scholarship in both 2007 and 2008. In his spare time, he is active in the community and enjoys playing drums in a band. Currently attending Hennepin Technical College, Kennedy has big dreams for his future and how his education can benefit Embassy Suites.

"Craig Kennedy has been an indispensable resource to Embassy Suites since the day he started working for us. His determination and desire to learn and grow have truly aided him as he furthers his education and position within the company," says Hotel Manager William Gheen. "Although we're sad to see him transfer to the Downtown St. Paul location, we are proud of him for advancing and know that the education he is afforded thanks to the Bollenbach Family Scholarship will take him far in life."

The Bollenbach Family Scholarship was instituted by Stephen F. Bollenbach, the nine-year CEO of Hilton Hotels Corporation.

Bollenbach was raised by a family who weathered tough times - his father delivered milk and his mother worked in a factory; they came to California from Oklahoma during the Great Depression and believed that success came via attending college. Realizing that his financial and professional success was due to receiving a great education, Bollenbach chose to give some of the money he earned back to his Hilton teammates with some stiff criteria in place. Employees must have been full-time employees for at least three years, with dependents of employees are eligible as well. Tuition and books that are not covered by any other financial aid are provided, but eligibility for the scholarship is "need and ability based," meaning that an applicant must have the grades and test scores to be admitted to a college and must also be someone who would otherwise not be able to afford college.

The scholarship recipient may attend any college or university and must carry a full-time class load, but in order to be considered, employees should be active in their community, gain academic achievements, and participate in extracurricular activities such as sports or the arts. If an employee or their dependent is chosen, grades and adequate academic performance are expected to continue and will be followed and reported to other Hilton team members.

"I'm really excited about this," says Bollenbach. "I also expect a lot in the way of performance. It's a big commitment... for me, and for the people whom we select. But if it works - and I expect we'll be successful - we can change people's lives."