News
Purdum named recipient of IFMA Silver Plate Award
James Purdum, general manager for Hospitality Services at Penn State, has been named the recipient of the 2013 International Foodservice Manufacturer’s Association (IFMA) Silver Plate Award in Hotels and Lodging.
IFMA’s Gold and Silver Plate Awards, the highest possible operator awards in the foodservice industry, acknowledge outstanding operators in the industry each year. Winners are chosen by a rigorous process that includes evaluation by a jury of immediate past winners, chief editors from leading foodservice publications, and industry experts.
“The awards allow us to pay tribute to outstanding individuals whose contributions advance their individual segments and the foodservice industry as a whole,” says Larry Oberkfell, president and CEO of IFMA.
Purdum, who received a bachelor’s degree in 1977 from Penn State in food services and housing administration, is honored by the award and credits his team of colleagues for their professionalism and commitment. “This award is a tribute to the hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence by the entire Hospitality Services team,” he says. “It’s also a recognition of the support and commitment our hotels have had from our leadership, our guests, and the many colleagues we are fortunate to work with each day to support the mission of this great University. Read more about Jim Purdum's IFMA Silver Plate Award >>
School of Hospitality Management educational partner at Bisnow BLIS 2013 Lodging Investment Summit
The Penn State School of Hospitality Management was the educational partner for the Bisnow BLIS 2013 Lodging Investment Summit held at the Washington Hilton on April 24-25th.
Over 500 executives representing leading hospitality companies from across the country gathered for this two-day summit which included keynote speakers and panel discussions.
Keynote speakers included Chris Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton Worldwide, Paul Whetsell, President and CEO, Loews Hotels and Jmaes Murren, Chairman and CEO, MGM Resorts International. Two of the more than two dozen panelists included PSHRS President, Tom Riley, Vice President, Acquisitions and Development, Kimpton Hotels and SHM Industry Advisory Board Member, Dan Lesser, CEO, LW Hospitality Advisors. Topics were focused on the state of the hotel markets with macro discussions on the economy and micro discussions on future hotel development. Dr. O'Neill kick-offed the summit with opening remarks and the introduction of Chris Nassetta.
Hospitality students earn high marks on industry exam
Students in Penn State's School of Hospitality Management have exceeded the national average on a rigorous examination that demonstrates their ability to read, interpret and make decisions about the most widely used monthly report used by hotel managers to track the performance of hotels around the world — the STAR report.
The 16 Penn State students who took the exam — known as the STAR exam — earned an average of 82 percent, and all Penn State students received a passing grade of over 70 percent. The national average was 72 percent. The students were enrolled in the course, "Hospitality Real Estate," which is taught by John O'Neill, director of the School of Hospitality Management. The students trained for and took the exam as part of the course. They took the exam and learned their scores in late December 2012. Read more about SHM students who took the STAR exam >>
David Cranage named Schreyer Distinguished Honors Faculty Member
David Cranage, associate professor in the School of Hospitality Management at Penn State, has been named a 2012-2014 Schreyer Distinguished Honors Faculty Member by the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State. The Distinguished Honors Faculty Program brings together select faculty members and Schreyer student scholars in innovative, interactive programs that extend learning beyond classroom walls. As a Distinguished Honors Faculty Member, Cranage plans to expose Schreyer student scholars to an enhanced learning experience in sustainability business practices and policies as part of a sustainability initiative he has been working on over the past two years. The goal of the initiative is to develop sustainability models for the hospitality industry to use in their policies and practices. Cranage and others involved with the initiative conduct research to examine sustainability in all aspects of the hospitality industry and examine ways to enhance student learning in sustainability issues and practices in the hospitality industry. More >>
Randell Smith named 2011 PSHRS Hospitality Executive of the Year
Randell A. Smith, chairman and co-founder of STR, has been named 2011 Hospitality Executive of the Year by the Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society. Smith will receive the award during the 50th Hospitality Executive of the Year Award Dinner, which will take place Nov. 13, 2011 in conjunction with the annual International Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Show in New York. As part of the honor, Smith also will be inducted into the Penn State Hospitality Hall of Fame, located at The Nittany Lion Inn on Penn State’s University Park.
Read more about Randell Smith and his recognition as the 2011 PSHRS Hospitality Executive of the Year.
John O’Neill Named Director of the School of Hospitality Management
John O’Neill has been named the director of the School of Hospitality Management at Penn State. He succeeds Bert Van Hoof on July 1, 2011. A member of the Penn State faculty since 2001, his research focuses on strategic management, lodging management and development, real estate valuation, work-life balance in the lodging industry, and hotel branding. “John brings to the job strong ties to industry, an impressive record of research and scholarship, the ability to work well with others, and firsthand understanding of the school,” says Ann C. Crouter, the Raymond E. and Erin Stuart Schultz Dean of the College of Health and Human Development. Read more about John O'Neill and his appointment.
Students take charge of hotels, build team decision-making skills
Students in one Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management course get a sneak peak at some of the complex decisions they’ll have to make as future hotel managers. In the course, HRIM 480: Advanced Hotel Management, students assume the role of manager through a computer simulation known as Hotel Operational Training Simulation (HOTS).…More
Restaurant customers willing to pay more for local food
Not only are restaurant patrons willing to pay more for meals prepared with produce and meat from local providers, the proportion of customers preferring local meals actually increases when the price increases, according to a team of international researchers.…More
Envious employees can turn hospitality industry hostile
Guest relationships can become collateral damage when hotel employees envy the relationships co-workers have with their bosses, according to an international team of researchers, including Dr. John O'Neill, associate professor of hospitality management at Penn State.…More
School of Hospitality Management names PA Secretary of Health Everette James Conti Professor
The Penn State School of Hospitality Management (SHM) has named Everette James, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, as the Walter J. Conti Professor of Hospitality Management in Penn State's College of Health and Human Development, starting spring semester 2011. James is the seventy-third Conti Professor.…More
Symposium aims to improve sustainability in the hospitality industry
The School of Hospitality Management (SHM) is holding an event designed to reduce waste and increase sustainability practices in the hotel, waste, and food service industries. The SHM Sustainability Symposium will be held Tuesday, October 5, 2010, at The Nittany Lion Inn, 1:00-5:00 p.m., followed by a light reception.…More
Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society Names U.S. Travel’s Roger Dow 2010 Hospitality Executive of the Year
Roger Dow, president and chief executive officer of U.S. Travel Association, has been named the 2010 Hospitality Executive of the Year by the Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society (PSHRS). Dow will receive the award during the forty-ninth Hospitality Executive of the Year Award Reception on Sunday, November 14, 2010, at the Rosenthal Pavilion of the Kimmel Center, New York University. As part of the honor, Dow will also be inducted into the Penn State Hospitality Hall of Fame, located at The Nittany Lion Inn on Penn State’s University Park campus.…More
Penn State, government, industry helping children pick healthier foods
Penn State is leading a new initiative to improve children’s nutrition education and increase the amount of healthy foods available in schools. The project is a collaboration among Penn State researchers; Pennsylvania’s Departments of Health, Education, and Agriculture; Pennsylvania food manufacturers and food distributors; and school districts across the state.…More
Alumni in the Classroom
View photos from the Alumni in the Classroom - 2009 event.
2009 Hospitality Executive of the Year
