World Tea Academy is introducing the Brian Keating Gratitude Scholarship. One scholarship will be awarded annually and can be applied towards seven World Tea Academy courses taken in 2020. Applications will be accepted Aug. 12 through Sept. 30 and the winner will be announced Nov. 1.
“To express our gratitude for all that he contributed to thetea industry, the academy and to us personally, WTA is paying it forward byestablishing a scholarship in his name,” states WorldTeaAcademy.com.
Keating had a long andimpactful career as a tea shop proprietor, educator, author, consultant, tea blender,and specialty tea industry analyst and advisor. Keating initially entered thetea industry as the owner of the The TeaCup tea shop in Seattle where henoticed a strong customer draw towards and profitability of high quality whole-leafblends long before tea became appreciated for its health benefits, reported WorldTea News. He also used his tea shop as a lab in which to study thechallenges and opportunities that tea houses in the United States face. Keatingwent on to form the Sage Group where he tracked and predicted trends in thespecialty tea industry and created numerous tea blends, including SPORTea and mixturesfor Whole Foods Market. He also served as a strategic technical advisor toWorld Tea Academy beginning in 2013; and in 2018 wrote the course material forthe ADV.13 Art of Flavoring, Blending and Scenting Tea, Part 1 course, which ispart of the new Tea Blender Certification track.
Donna Fellman, Assistant Education Manager of World Tea Academy, said, “We were thinking of ways to honor Brian and one of those ways was to have a scholarship at World Tea Academy.” Keating mentored Fellman while she was the manager of the TeaCup in 2001-2003. “I personally, the Academy, as well as the entire tea industry have benefited from his knowledge and vision that he was so generous with,” added Fellman.
To enter, applicants should answer the following questions (with a limit of 4 – 8 sentencesfor each question) in an email to [email protected]with “Brian Keating Gratitude Scholarship” in the subject line:
- What is your current role or relationship to thetea industry?
- What is your vision for your role orrelationship to the tea industry?
- How do you see earning a certification at WorldTea Academy helping you achieve your vision?
- What is your vision for how you will continuethe tradition and "pay it forward"?
For more information on applying and details about courses,go to WorldTeaAcademy.com.