School of Hospitality Management Monthly Update: May 2007
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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In-roads of tourism
Dr. Amit Sharma addressed Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s Executive Management Series on Friday, April 13th as key note speaker. The event, held at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. was titled The Impact of Tourism on Economic Development in North Eastern Pennsylvania.
Dr. Sharma discussed the interrelationships of the economic impact process, and presented an overview of measurable outcomes that can be utilized for decision-making.
Separately, he participated in a panel discussion to stimulate conversation and share ways in which the economic impact of tourism can be optimized in Pennsylvania.
Noted in the News
Dr. Karthik Namasivayam was featured in USA Today in an article profiling Indian immigrants and their children as increasingly becoming power players across the spectrum of USA's hotel industry.
Namasivayam was interviewed at the annual convention of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) where more than 3,000 members and vendors gathered at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Few other industries can claim such a large minority influence. Indian-Americans own 43% of the 47,000 hotels and motels in the country, according to AAHOA.
"An Indian hotel owner is ready to pick up a screwdriver and fix the laundry machine himself," says Namasivayam commenting on an inherent style of management. The influence of the deeply ingrained philosophies of self-reliance and simplicity, touted by Mahatma Gandhi, may also have an influence in their business culture. Read the full article in USA Today.
Hospitality students build (P)Art-nership
Visitors to Mateer Building have something new to feast their eyes on: a colorful collection of student-produced artwork in the atrium and lobby.
A group of students from the School’s Advanced Food Production and Service Management (HRIM 430) class forged a “(P)ART-nership” with Beginning Oil Painting (ART 250). The effort was to showcase artwork during the distilled liquor-themed dinner, entitled “STiLL.” The title is a play on words, as all alcohol is made in stills or distilleries.
The Advanced Food Production and Service Management class gives students hands-on learning experience for careers as hospitality managers. Students are guided by instructors and are responsible for the planning, marketing, preparation and service of each dining experience.
Matt Gaines, a senior pursuing a major in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management, approached Melissa Chaney, the Beginning Oil Painting teacher, on behalf of his group. The art class had coincidentally just finished still life paintings of fruits, vegetables and objects, which went along with the dinner’s theme.
Paul Howard, an instructor for HRIM 430, praised the “STiLL” group for their effort. “It took great initiative for the team to make this connection and it was above and beyond the normal requirements for the class,” he said. “The key to the hospitality business is building relationships, and it is nice to see this in practice with students.”
The Beginning Oil Painting class involved art students of varying levels, from beginner to advanced. “The initiative of the “STiLL” group helped to give our art students a professional venue to feature their work in,” said Chaney. “We hope that this “(P)ART-nership” will be an ongoing collaboration,” she said.
The School of Hospitality Management plans to keep the paintings in the Mateer lobby for the remainder of the semester. New artwork will be displayed each semester.
Undergraduates Bring It On
Undergraduates in the School of Hospitality Management are scooping up awards and notoriety faster than Alaskan salmon swim upstream. Just this past month, they ranked as la crème de la crème; racked up whopping scores, ratings and reviews; and even rapped alongside G Span (a.k.a. President Graham Spanier).
In the News
PSHRS president, Leigh Silkunas, appeared in a cover story entitled Higher Learning: Hospitality schools focus their curriculums on the changing needs of the lodging industry in Lodging, a magazine published by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA). Read the full article.
Adult Student Learner Winner
Graduating senior, Dana Springer won University Park's Adult Student Learner Award. The award is considered one of the most competitive and respected university-wide honors. Faculty nominator Dave Racheau was on hand with Dr. Graham Spanier to congratulate Dana for her achievements in an awards ceremony held April 14th in Pasquerella Spiritual Center.
Also in attendance were her mother, father, daughter, grandmother, and great-aunt. Dr. Spanier spent quite a bit of time speaking with Dana and her daughter, Olivia, also known as "Princess."
"Adult students are indeed special," said Racheau who as the School's only full-time undergraduate adviser sees several hundred undergraduates each year. "Dana has been nothing short of amazing over the past few years, juggling home life, work life, and university life unbelievably well. She has been a joy and an inspiration to all of us in the School of SHM. She will continue to be a real success story after graduation."
Adult learners are considered 24 years of age or older, veterans of the armed services, returning to school after four or more years of employment, homemaking, or other activity, or assuming multiple roles such as parent, spouse/partner, employee, and student.
Ms. Black Penn State
Junior, Rythda Destime strolled into the title as Miss Black Penn State 2007 on April 22 in a pageant held at The State Theatre.
Destime was recognized for her talent, knowledge and beauty. "They really gave me a run for my money," Destime said. "I need to let it all sink in for a bit, and then I will continue to do my work on this campus."
Destime is also a protégé in the College of Health and Human Development's Women's Leadership Initiative. Read the article about Destime in The Collegian.
Rap Away
Freshman Andrew Spandara (a.k.a. Spudd McKenzy) rose to victory over three other final contestants during the Blue and White Weekend's first Rapper Contest, held outside of Beaver Stadium. Spandara won three field passes for a football game and will perform his rap at a football game in the fall.
G Span (a.k.a. Penn State President Graham Spanier) also showed students and alumni his hip-hop side… http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2007/04/04-23-07tdc/04-23-07darts-02.asp
And the Winners are
President’s Freshman Award was awarded to Jessica Welch. This award is given to students who have earned a 4.00 grade-point average.
Katrina Schmidt won the Evan Pugh Scholar Award granted to seniors with a GPA of 3.98 and above.
Showing their Stuff
Faculty representatives Peter Nyheim and Jeff Heim escorted students Sonya Grebs, Kara Pislack, Kylie Morse, Karen Marley and Jessica Robinson in a display of Lion Pride at a Joint Meeting with the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) at the Harrisburg Hilton in April. The Pennsylvania State University Student Chapter presented an overview of the Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management program and networked with alumnus Rob Bokunewicz and others from the Greater Philadelphia chapter.
HFTP generously contributed a $2,500 scholarship to be awarded during the 2007-2008 school year. www.hftpphila.org/Photos.htm
Who Says Learning Can't be Fun?
The sight of seven giggling hospitality students on a seven seat bicycle weighing more than 400 pounds caught the attention of many on University Park campus. Bicycle enthusiast, Bob Swaim, a retired math teacher from Allentown guest lectured for the Human Resources class on team building – that is, atop a bicycle built for seven. Yes, seven.
The conference bicycle, built by a Dutch artist and built with Porsche steering in Germany, served as a display for effective teambuilding. "There is no way one person can make this bicycle go," Swaim explained. "But when everyone pitches in and stokes, we can fly."
Swaim was a guest lecture for HRIM 466, Human Resources for Hospitality. Teacher for the class, Dr. Vivienne Wildes, explained that it was, perhaps, a once in a lifetime opportunity for her to teach a lesson to multiple intelligences and to offer students the chance to learn a valuable lesson outside the classroom. She'd met Swaim in line at the post office and the two decided to collaborate on a lesson plan.
Swaim and his wife, Gloria, visited Mateer Building with a sampling of their 200 bicycles for the class to test. "The world would be a much better place if more people rode bicycles," Swaim contends. "The hospitality industry could incorporate bicycles as part of their routine amenities…if people demanded them, the companies would make it happen."
This Little Pig Raised a Whole Lot of Dough
Over two hundred people turned out for the annual PSHRS Pig Roast & Tailgate near Beaver Stadium on April 21 to kick off Blue and White Weekend.
Many, many thanks to all those whose bighearted contributions helped raise nearly $1,000 for the Student Chapter. And, a very special thanks to those who stayed up all night with the pig!
Chicago…See you there!
Penn State's School of Hospitality Management(SHM) and the Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society (PSHRS) will again join forceswith The University of Delaware, The University of Massachusetts,The University of New Orleans and Oklahoma State Universityin a joint Alumni Reception during the NRA Show in Chicago on May 21.
Having the occasion to connect with faculty and alumni from these “sister” schools,along with Penn State Alumni, always enhances networking opportunities… as well as promises an evening of fun and entertainment.
Please make every effort to stop by and say hello. Menu of Chicago event follows:
Monday, May 21, 2007
5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago/Culinary Arts Satellite Location
180 N. Wabash (Intersection of Lake Street and Wabash — one block West of Michigan Avenue)
Chicago, IL 60613
For assistance with directions, if needed,call (312) 280-3500 and ask for directions to the Culinary Arts Satellite Location.
Please RSVP, as soon as possible, toKrista White at (814) 863-1448 or by email to kvj2@psu.edu. Please make certain to mention to Krista the event you will be attending.
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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