School of Hospitality Management Monthly Update: April 2008

This Monthly Update from the School of Hospitality Management at Penn State serves to keep you informed and interested in the news as it happens - for alumni, industry, faculty & students.

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Chef Instructor Honored as Faculty Standard Bearer

When asked to select a faculty standard bearer for graduation, college marshal Susan Jacko wasted no time in selecting chef instructor Steve Musco.

“All HRIM students know and love Musco!” said Susan. “He is the instructor that I’ll remember most when I look back at my PSU career.”

After working in the restaurant industry for several years, Musco returned to Penn State as an adult learner and earned his bachelors degree in hotel, restaurant, and institutional management. Being around students inspired him to become an HRIM instructor.

“The look on the kids’ faces when I answered questions inspired me to teach,” said Musco. “I thought, ‘what better way to use my expertise than to teach and help students learn from my mistakes?’”

Musco teaches two food production classes: HRIM 330 and HRIM 430.

His favorite part of teaching these classes is seeing students start with little knowledge of the industry and watching them grow. “It’s great to see individuals grow from learning how to hold a knife to managing and planning an entire fine dining experience,” said Musco.

“He is a great instructor because he allows his students the freedom to make mistakes,” said Jacko. “He is always there for you if you need his help, but he knows that the best way to learn in our industry is by actually doing it.”

Atten-hut! Club Participates in IT Boot Camp

The Penn State chapter of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) traveled to The Radnor Hotel in Radnor, PA on March 27th to participate in “IT Boot Camp.”

Terry Price, Executive IT Manager at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, NC, was the speaker for the evening. His presentation focused on three key elements within IT management:

Knowing Your Weapon (physical items within a network, such as routers)
Knowing Your Enemies (viruses, spammers, hackers, etc.)
Knowing Your Defenses (proper training and work habits)

“The presentation was very informative,” said Kara Pisklak, a member of HFTP. “It helped to underline the difference in situations that could arise between home-based and corporate technology settings.”

After the dinner, students had the opportunity to ask questions and network. The students in attendance were Kara Pisklak, Sunny Hwang, Kylie Morse and Daniel McNulty.

Students Visit the Borgata

Rosemarie Hibbler and Paul Howard escorted 28 HRIM students on a bus trip to the Borgata in Atlantic City on March 24, 2008. After an early start in State College and a long bus ride, students were greeted by senior administration from The Borgata. They shared the company philosophy and plans for the future with the opening of The Water Club in June.

After lunch and a series of property tours, students were given interviews with representatives from Food and Beverage, Hospitality, Housekeeping, Wardrobe, etc. Over half of the students received offers for summer internships and full-time jobs!

“It was very worthwhile for the students to see this luxury property and to observe the pace of work at a casino,” said Hibbler. “I know that the students appreciated Dr. Van Hoof’s support of this trip and his payment of our transportation costs.”

Second Annual SHM Pig Roast

School of Hospitality Management students will hold a Pig Roast fundraiser during the annual Blue and White Game on April 19, 2008. The fundraiser, benefitting the student chapter of the Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society (PSHRS), will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the xyz Picnic Shelter off of Park Avenue. Last year, the student chapter of PSHRS raised almost $1,000 for student development.

Nittany Lion Inn Hosts PTLA State-Wide Competition

Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association (PTLA) held a state-wide program competition for high school students at the Nittany Lion Inn from March 5 – 7.

High school juniors and seniors competed against other qualified high school teams in a variety of activities. “The activities were designed to test their skill-level and professionalism in the hospitality management field,” said Mark Krotulski, director of education for PTLA.

School of Hospitality Management’s Paul Howard and Jeff Heim were judges at the competition.

In order to compete, all students and their schools must first comply with very strict educational program standards as dictated by the American Hotel & Lodging Association – Educational Institute (AHLA-EI) as well as the Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association (PTLA).

Key industry leaders, educational leaders, and executives from the PTLA office networked with the students during the conference.

The winners were three students from Monroe Career & Technical Institute’s (MCTI) Hotel, Resort & Tourism Management Program. Their Hospitality Services Project included extensive event planning activities and budgetary considerations. The team will be representing Pennsylvania at the April 9 – 11 International Lodging Management Program Competition scheduled in Orlando, FL.

Pictured from left to right: Mark Krotulski (Director of Education for PTLA); James Purdum (Vice Chairman of PTLA Board of Trustees & General Manager of Penn State University Hospitality Services); Lauren Odita (team member); Kim Marriot (team member); Cody Stevens (team member); Patricia LeCompte (Instructor); Barry Wickes (President of PTLA)

Conklin is Passionate about Research

The School of Hospitality Management’s very own Martha Conklin was featured in the February 2008 issue of School Nutrition Magazine. The article profiles two academic professionals who have spent a large part of their career on research, and continue to put their research into action.

Conklin is currently an associate professor at Penn State as well as director of onsite foodservice for the university’s Hospitality Leadership Institute. “I’ve got the best of both worlds because I interact both with students and professionals,” she said.

A strong advocate of research, Conklin finds that being a member of the School Nutrition Association (SNA) has helped her in her research career. “I learn about the needs of school nutrition directors and get ideas for research,” she said. “Directors are always so supportive, whether it’s answering surveys or working with me on demonstration projects. And once I get started, they give great suggestions on where the research should go.”

Conklin encourages research about School Nutrition programs -- a field, she notes, rich in opportunity. “If you’re looking for an area where you can do meaningful research, school nutrition will be attracting interest for years to come.”

On the Road…Again

Over 100 alumni turned out to mingle and hang with Paul Howard on his recent road trips to Philadelphia & Washington DC. Paul promises to bring more faculty – by popular demand – to his next events. If you are interested in joining your local PSHRS alumni group – which is very much fun, by the way – then contact Paul Howard at pah101@psu.edu. Alumni are most supportive in helping other alumni – especially those just starting out – to find apartments, get connected, and learn the lay of the land. Even if you weren’t all “Rah! Rah! Penn State!” when you were in school, you are welcome to join us on the road…again.

Upcoming trips include:

New York City – April 21
Poughkeepsie, NY – April 22
Pittsburgh – May date TBA

Blakey Selected as co-recipient of Pennsylvania Travel and Lodging Association’s Student of the Year

Angelo Blakey was selected as co-recipient of Pennsylvania Travel and Lodging Association’s 2008 Student of the Year.

Angelo will receive the Student of the Year Award at a reception to be held on April 28, 2008, at the Holiday Inn East Harrisburg.

Angelo was nominated for the PTLA Student of the Year Award by Dr. Vivienne Wildes, his adviser.

“Angelo Blakey demonstrates a positive work ethic in all he does,” said Wildes in her nomination materials. “Whether it is in the classroom or on the job, Angelo is always positive and cheerful in his outlook. He is well-liked and respected by his co-workers and teachers, alike.”

Alumni in the News

Fred DeMicco, ARAMARK Chair of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management, and PSU Conti Professor will be featured in a weekend Voice of America Mandarin broadcast about research on space travel that he conducted in cooperation with colleagues at the University of Rome La Sapienza.

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Send us your news - we'll include it in the School of Hospitality Monthly Update. Contact Vivienne Wildes at vjw100@psu.edu

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