Terry Lee, CTC Scholarship Fund Mission Statement
To create a permanent scholarship fund through ongoing donations and fund raising events to cover the educational needs of Terry Lee's family. The fund will also provide ongoing scholarships to travel industry professionals awarded by The Travel Institute. This scholarship was created by The Travel Institute, Marriott International and Travel Weekly.

To donate, send a check in any amount to:

The Terry Lee Scholarship Fund
c/o The Travel Institute
148 Linden Street, Suite 305
Wellesley, MA 02482

On September 9, 2004, the travel industry lost a true innovator of education when Terry Lee, CTC, Senior Director of Travel Agency Programs and Relations for Marriott International and a respected member of The Travel Institute Board of Trustees, lost his battle with cancer. In remembrance of Terry, The Institute's Board of Trustees shared favorite memories.

"Terry Lee was like an adopted son to me and my husband. We went back to his days at United in San Francisco. I served on the UA advisory board with Terry and he was the one that recommended me for the Board of Trustees of The Travel Institute. Terry was a gentleman and a gentle man. I know of no one that didn't like or respect him. He was put into the position of defending Marriott's Hotel Excellence program while maintaining his highest regard and dedication to the travel agency community. People like him are few and far between and we shall all miss him deeply."

SHEILA B. HYMAN, CTC • TANFORAN TRAVEL

"I'll never forget the first time I talked with Terry Lee. In just a few short minutes, I quickly came to know why I doubt there is a person in the travel industry who knew him that didn't like him immensely. He was an amazing man with a keen wit and a quiet dignity. That first encounter was when Terry was given an unpleasant task. Marriott had just introduced the Hotel Excellence program and frankly, it did not sit well with me. Without quick training, the commission reductions detailed in the program would have a measurable impact on our overall hotel income for the year. So, I dashed off a complaint letter to some of the "muckitymucks" and the ever-friendly Terry Lee was dispatched to smooth things over. In fact, not only did Terry adeptly diffuse the situation; but, he personally came to train our folks!

Since then, Terry and I worked together [on] several industry advisory boards and on the board of trustees of ICTA (now, The Travel Institute). We became friends. But, then, what travel agent wouldn't like a guy like Terry? He was always positive about the future of travel agents. He was a "believer" in the value of a travel agent and a strong ally within the Marriott management team. His untimely death to cancer, is a real loss to the travel agent community and to the industry that he loved so much. Someone you're going to really miss, a travel agent's buddy and a genuinely nice guy.

And if heaven's library has a travel industry reading room, then just one more thing. Hey Terry! You fought the good fight. Thanks again for all your help down here. And, buddy, can you put in a good word for those of us who need it with the Big Guy up there? Thanks, no surprise, we knew you would!"

ALAN B. HALE, CTC

"Terry was a breath of fresh air every time we spoke. I loved his positive energy and pro-active attitude on life. Terry never complained about his health. He just seemed to take life one day at a time and appreciate every precious minute. I am thankful that our paths crossed. He will be dearly missed by all."

JEFF DREW, CTC • OCEANIA CRUISES

"Terry was a friend and mentor for me. We shared similar experences having come to the travel industry after having been high school teachers. I could always see the teacher in Terry having worked with him on the Hotel Excellence program and other industry education initiatives. I think Terry measured his success not in sales or profits or the usual business barometers, although he was keenly aware of his company's position, but rather...in how much he could elevate the learning and discourse in our industry. My wife and I teared-up when we heard the news of Terry's passing while at The Travel Institute National Forum. Terry helped my wife, Anne, earn her first industry credential, the CTA. We thought, how ironic for his passing to have occurred during this meeting of industry minds, as if he were telling us, 'Remember me as part of this community of learning.' He will always be one of our industry's most intelligent leaders and one of its most eloquent voices for professionalism.

Terry was also one of our industry's nicest guys. I can't think of anyone who had a bad word to say about Terry. Rather, when his name came up in conversation it was inevitably followed by, "Isn't he a great guy?" Although we both were teachers, we couldn't teach each other much on the golf course - though he'll always be one of the best partners on the links I've ever walked 18 with. He often gave me great counsel and wisdom about this interesting business we work in, and it helped me personally and professionally, like so many others he guided and encouraged. The world has lost a good soul and our industry has lost one of its most decent and noble ambassadors."

BILL CONNORS, CTC • NATIONAL BUSINESS TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

"I am not capable of expressing all that should be said about a man who had the respect of the industry, the love of his family and a passion for life. While we all can agree that Terry's life was way too brief, I believe that I can say he was highly successful, based on [this] quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:"

Success

To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one's self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived...this is to have succeeded.

MIKE GOING, CTC • AIR JAMAICA

"Terry Lee was the epitome of what our industry is all about - a man of passion, good humor and insight. He always lit up a room with his presence and embodied the spirit of human connection that travel is meant to ignite. I will miss him terribly; however, his influence on me will be with me for the rest of my life."

MATTHEW UPCHURCH, CTC • VIRTUOSO