School of Hospitality Management Monthly Update: June 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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Spring Recognition Ceremony

Faculty and staff said farewell to Spring '07 and Summer '07 graduates on May 19th at the first Spring Recognition Ceremony. Over six hundred students, family, friends, faculty and staff attended the brunch and ceremony held at Café Laura and Thomas Building. One-hundred and seventy undergraduate and three PhD students will move on to alumni status this year.

After a bountiful display of food and drink in Café Laura everyone headed to Thomas Building for the formalities. Students and faculty marched to Pomp and Circumstance, clapped for each other, and exchanged handshakes and many hugs. Each student received a PSHRS Hospitality pin and complimentary membership for 1 ½ years in the PSHRS alumni group.

Student Marshall and valedictorian, Katrina Schmidt, carried the new School banner. She was followed by student speakers Sarah Hantz and Matthew Gaines.

Wide grins accompanied the booming voice of nomenclator, Steve Musco, as he proudly announced each student's name to the cheers of many. "We are very proud of our graduating students, and this ceremony provided a very personal way to recognize them," said Bart Bartlett, master of ceremonies and professor in charge of undergraduate studies. "The opportunity to shake hands and interact with every graduating student was extremely rewarding, and I believe it sends them off on a really positive note."

Mr. William Kidd (HRIM '87) asset management vice president for Host Marriot was the guest speaker. A special moment came when outgoing Dean Fred Vondracek received a thank you gift from the School for his support over the past few years. Dean Vondracek will be staying at the Sheraton Manhattan, courtesy of David Scypinski, and will dine at The Four Seasons, courtesy of Joanne Budge, and at the Ritz Carlton, Central Park, courtesy of Ryan Spear.

Last, but not least, was the resounding chant felt as students recessed to the marching tunes of the Penn State Blue Band. "We Are Penn State!"

And the Award Goes to

The all new Director's Strategy Award winners were recognized with a Lion statue during the recognition ceremony on May 19th. The award is given to a group of students in Strategic Hospitality Management (HRIM 490) whose strategic planning presentation is judged the best by teachers and industry panelists.

The winners of the 2007 Director's Strategy Award are: Shannon Egan, David Nathan, James G; Warren Middleton, Katrina Schmidt, and Matthew Quinn.

This year's industry judges were Edward Levine, CEO of Left Bank Restaurants, and former CEO of Friendly's Ice Cream and COO of Boston Market, John Cutter. Both commented that they were extremely impressed with the level of insight of the students and the detail of the presentations.

"I believe that the Strategic Award Competition contributed to raising the bar in terms of the quality of all of the final presentations by those students completing the coursework in HRIM 490," said Paul Kelley, one of the instructors for the course.

Instructor of the winning team, John O'Donnell, added that the competition …"raised levels of participation, and interest levels in the subject of Strategic Management, in all sections of the course. The winning team members did an incredible job, and were excited to have achieved something notable that they will take with them as they embark on their hospitality careers."

Trash to Treasure makes headlines

Last year, Penn State's Trash to Treasure sale at the campus stadium involved more than 66 tons of student castoffs and garnered more than $50,000 for the United Way. Among the items were a mink coat, a silver-plated punch bowl, 33 television sets, 166 window fans and 270 pairs of ski boots.

Carolyn Lambert, associate professor at Penn State's School of Hospitality Management and major organizer of Penn State's sixth annual sale, considers the events "a huge anthropological study in terms of what students leave behind and have donated."

Besides the vacuum cleaners, irons and extra sheets that parents bought in September, some students walk away from mugs filled with sizable sums of coins, according to Lambert.

The complete article which ran in the Los Angeles Times can be viewed at:
www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cleanup20may20,0,774927.story

Chicago

Bert van Hoof and Harvey Kamp accompanied undergraduate students Annie Morgan, Alanna Desmond, Meghan Tierney, and Leigh Silkunas at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, May 18th to 22nd.

Meghan and Leigh were chosen to attend the NRAEF Michael E. Hurst Student Forum and became Student Honor Delegates. Leigh, Harvey, Annie and Meghan also attended the Salute to Excellence Awards Banquet and Gala put on by NRAEF.

Other Chicago activities included attending the NRA show, dinner and a tour of J. Alexanders, tour of Sheraton Hotel and Towers, tour of Spiaggia Restaurant and attending the annual PSU Alumni Reception at the Art Institute of Chicago.

A Maze(ing) Activity

Changes wrought by the School of Recreation and Park Management's move into the new Ford Building (previously known as the Business Building) have Mateer Building a buzz of activity. Painters, carpenters, and architects converged to make the hallways and new classrooms one of the prettiest and most high tech places on campus.

"Students will return to campus in the Fall to see a new updated and sparkling building," said Bert van Hoof.

All graduate students will have upstairs offices. A new coffee bar outside Keller Auditorium will help students and faculty get through the day. Bulletin boards outside Café Laura will display menus from the Advanced Food Production and Service Management (HRIM 430) dinners. "It's so exciting," espoused a summer session student. "I love being here to see the changes, and I can't wait to tell my friends and parents about all that is happening here!"

Cathartic moment

Congratulations to Karthik Namasivayam and John O'Neill who recently received tenure in the School of Hospitality Management.

25 Years and counting

Bart Bartlett celebrated his 25th anniversary with Penn State. Dozens of faculty and staff attended a festive party hosted by his family. The food was great, and the company exceptional! Congratulations Bart!

Mark your calendars…and make your reservations

Ken Conklin (FSHA '80) will host the annual Benefield Bash July 13th to 15th at Harbor Magic in the Pier 5 Hotel, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland.

Harbor Magic has three properties in the Inner Harbor: the Pier 5 Hotel, the Admiral Fell Inn, and the Brookshire Suites. The weekend package for families or singles includes accommodations, reception, breakfast, Saturday's dinner event, and Sunday brunch.

This is a fun-filled weekend for everyone. Reservations for any of the hotels can be made at: 866-583-4162 -- ask for the Benefield Bash group room block for any of the three hotels. Web site: www.harbormagic.com.

See you there!

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