Peter M. Sontag spent two years in Steubenville, Ohio as an exchange student from Austria, and later returned to the U.S. as an immigrant at age 22 with $14 in his pocket. He began working as an ironworker at Weirton Steel Corporation to pay for the education he so desired. Sontag spent four and a half years in the steel mill while carrying a full academic load at West Liberty State College until graduating magna cum laude in 1969. He then completed his MBA in Finance and International Business at Columbia University.
After immense success creating travel agencies and companies, Sontag then created the national travel powerhouse USTravel in 1986. As its Chairman and CEO, he acquired 49 travel corporations in five years resulting in $2.4 billion in sales. He sold USTravel in 1994 and finished his term as chairman in 1995. He continued his success with travel and telecommunications companies and was credited with pioneering a number of innovative approaches to management.
Sontag has been listed for an unprecedented four years by Business Travel News as one of the industry’s “25 Most Influential Executives.” West Liberty awarded Sontag with an honorary doctorate degree in recognition of his outstanding business achievements.
One incoming freshman every four years will be awarded with a scholarship that is renewable for up to four years.
Requirements:
- Eligible applicants must be entering with a declared major in Hospitality and Tourism Management within the school of Business Administration.
- Applicants must have a high school GPA of 3.0 and a minimum ACT score of 21.
Maintaining Eligibility:
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA
- Remain a Finance, Management or Marketing major
- Be enrolled on a full-time basis
If you are a prospective or current student interested in applying for this scholarship, please contact the Dean of the Gary E. West College of Business at 304-336-8060.