UW Senior Receives Inaugural Pulte Family Charitable Foundation Scholarship

Emma Jacobsen, a Cheyenne senior in the University of Wyoming College of Business, is the recipient of the inaugural scholarship funded by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.

Jacobsen is pursuing a bachelor's degree in business with a focus in finance and management, and a specialization in hospitality.

"I am deeply grateful to receive this scholarship," Jacobsen says. "The assistance from the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation has provided me essential support in pursuing my career goals."

The scholarship comes from the Pulte Gateway to Hospitality Student Transformation Fund, a program created in partnership with the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation and the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Initiative.

The fund is designed to support and encourage UW students to participate in internships in the hospitality and tourism sectors across Wyoming -- internships that many students may not be able to afford without financial assistance.

Jacobsen completed her internship at the renowned Brush Creek Ranch near Saratoga. During her internship last summer, she gained valuable insights into the luxury resort and hotel industry, developing key skills that have solidified her passion for a career in event planning and management. Jacobsen plans to attend graduate school next fall to further her education in this field.

The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation supports a variety of humanitarian initiatives led by nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. The foundation partners with nearly 200 nonprofits across the U.S. and globally to address the basic human needs of marginalized populations, including socioeconomically disadvantaged youth; the elderly; individuals with physical, emotional and mental disabilities; and those with limited material resources.

The foundation also owns Laramie's Hilton Garden Inn as part of its "Humanitarian Hotels" initiative. One hundred percent of the net profits from these properties are used to fund charitable initiatives worldwide. The hotels also host programs for employees, guests and nonprofits that reflect the foundation's mission of serving those in need, including collaborative efforts with UW and philanthropic organizations in Albany County.

The Pulte Gateway to Hospitality Student Transformation Fund will award additional scholarships next semester, with applications available through WyoScholarships beginning Friday, Nov. 15. Students majoring in outdoor recreation and tourism management, minoring in hospitality business, or majoring in management with a focus on hospitality are encouraged to apply.

For more information, interested applicants can email Jordan Kobliska, UW Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources senior program coordinator, at [email protected].