The Real Estate Educators Association has begun collecting nominations for
two new REEA Technology Scholarships, a $1,000 total prize that recognizes
the growing influence of technology in the real estate industry at large, in
real estate education specifically, and even more specifically at REEA itself.
The year 2000 will be the only time the scholarships - broken into two $500
awards - will be given. The scholarship is informally called The Bodley, in
honor of longtime REEA Web master Donald Bodley of Eastern Kentucky
University. The application deadline is Dec. 31.
REEA officials are candid in hoping one or both of the recipients will find
their way into REEA and, even better, take over the Web master duties from
Bodley - who is hoping to retire.
"The scholarship is funded by an anonymous donor and even I don't know who it
is," said John Stovall, president of REEA. "To be honest, we are hoping to
identify and train somebody who will become the replacement Web master
whenever Don gives up that position."
The scholarship is available to any college or university student, either
undergraduate or graduate, who is in a program specializing in real estate -
anything from brokerage management to commercial analysis. The student must
have plans to pursue a career in some facet of real estate, though not
necessarily in real estate education.
Stovall conceded the real estate industry - and even the real estate
education industry - is awash with people techno-savvy enough to operate a
Web site. The donor, however, specifically indicated the preference would be
for a college student being trained in the profession.
"I think the donor may have an academic background, but I'm not sure,"
Stovall said.
Of even more interest is an application requirement that the candidate
produce an essay on "the role of technology in the future of real estate."
"I think clearly the donor hopes we find somebody who exhibits enough of an
understanding of the real estate business to visualize what the Internet can
do to the business," Stovall added. "We (REEA) want to be at the front of
those changes and, quite frankly, I hope that will be reflected in our Web
site in the future, just as it is now."
Applications for the technology scholarships close at the same time
applications close for REEA's other scholarship, the Harwood Memorial Real
Estate Scholarship, named after the late Dr. Bruce Harwood, an author who
produced many textbooks for the industry.
The Harwood scholarship, for $250, is presented annually to a college student
involved in some aspect of real estate.
For more information about the scholarships, contact REEA at: 407-834-4747, or by e-mail: reea@amni.net
Published: December 13, 1999
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