School of Hospitality Management Monthly Update:
June 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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Graduation Spring 2008

Two hundred graduates walked across the stage on May 17, to represent the School of Hospitality Management graduating class of 2008.

Special to the roster this semester was the first 2HRIM graduate to attend the Recognition Ceremony. Patrice Micheals was presented by Director of On-Line Programs Beth Egan.

The day started with a brunch for over 700 people at Café Laura followed by the Spring Recognition Ceremony in Thomas Building. Student Marshal and Valedictorian, Susan Jacko, led the procession sighs and applause of proud family and friends. “My future goal is to come back and teach here at Penn State,” said Jacko. Susan heads off to Chicago as manager in training for J. Alexander’s to follow her expressed love for the food industry.

The Student Marshal is asked to select one faculty member to march in the commencement ceremony at the Bryce Jordan Center. Susan chose her HRIM 430 instructor, Steve Musco, as the Faculty Marshal. Steve also served as nomenclature for the SHM Recognition Ceremony where his booming announcement of each student was met with cheers and applause.

Steve says that after seeing the HRIM students march together at the big ceremony and witnessing all the hugs and friendliness, someone from Old Main expressed how SHM students are “… so interpersonal and friendly!”

This year’s Director's Strategy Award went to:

The Director’s Strategy Award is presented to the winning team of the Strategic Hospitality Management class, a capstone course for graduating seniors. This year’s senior project involved strategic analysis for P F Chang restaurants.

Senior speakers were Shannon Hawkins and Chris Carini, both of whom are joining Darden’s Olive Garden restaurants as managers in training. Shannon is returning to her hometown, Washington DC, and Chris will work in Philadelphia.

President of the Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society, Debbie Ulrich '79 FS HA, was the honorary speaker. The loudest applause of the day came as she held up the coveted blue and white School of Hospitality Management charger plate.

In July, Debbie takes over as president and CEO of Sysco Food Services of Pennsylvania, LLC. Ms. Ulrich challenged graduates to look wisely at all opportunities presented to them in years to come.

All graduates received certificates, 1 1/2-year memberships to the Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society and their official SHM Hospitality Pin.

After the SHM Recognition Ceremony, students and their families enjoyed a lunch at East Halls hosted by the College of Health and Human Development and Dean Nan Crouter before continuing on to the spring commencement ceremony at the Bryce Jordan Center.

The day capped four years of fun, study, dedication … and, we all witnessed a few tears spent amongst outcries of joy and sighs of relief for lifetime memories sealed at Penn State. As one graduate put it, "I don't want to leave, but I'm happy to move on to the next level."

image of spring 2008 graduation image of spring 2008 graduation image of spring 2008 graduation image of spring 2008 graduation image of spring 2008 graduation

First 2HRIM graduates complete degrees through Penn State's World Campus

Beth Egan, director of online programs for SHM, is pleased to announce our first class of 2HRIM graduates completing their degrees through Penn State's World Campus. 

In all, four students from the 2HRIM program received their degrees in May.

"We are thrilled to be able to offer a Penn State degree to adult students who have already progressed in their hospitality careers, but find they still want to continue their formal education,” says Egan. “It's a tough road to manage a full-time career and college classes, especially studying at a distance from your fellow students and professors, but in the end these students have gained valuable skills as well as their Penn State degree." 

Three of the students completed their entire degree through Penn State, either with all World Campus courses or in a blended format taking a few courses at other Penn State campuses and the rest through World Campus. The fourth student transferred into the program.

Patrice Micheals is director of leadership development with the Eat'n Park Hospitality Group, Inc. in Pittsburgh, PA.

John Timmerman, is vice president of quality and program management for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. in Washington, DC.

David Freeman works in Food and Beverage for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Michigan.

Our fourth graduate, John Thomas, resides in Pennsylvania.

Service Quality conference hosted

The 3rd International Conference on Services Management, organized and hosted by The School of Hospitality Management at Penn State, The Institute for International Management and Technology, Gurgaon, India, and Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK, took place in May 2008.

The conference brought together over 100 academics from across the globe to present research papers related to topics on strategies, human resources, marketing, finance, technology and education.

Conference organizers Dr. David Cranage and Dr. Arun Upneja stressed the importance of services as one of the most universally recognized and important parts of developed economies.

Professor Marianna Sigala from the department of Business Administration in the Business School at the University of the Aegean, Chios, Greece, won Best Paper for her submission, "Expanding the E-service Quality concept to Include Customer Participation and Intercustomer Support in E-service Provision." Evangelos Christou was a co-author on the paper.

After welcoming visitors to the area, Dean Nan Crouter invited them to take a few moments to walk around University Park campus, Happy Valley, and sample the famous ice cream.

The conference was held at the Penn Stater Conference Center, University Park. General Manager Jim Purdum personally welcomed conference guests and saw to the exquisite preparations from his conference staff. Of note was the banquet dinner with home-cooked Indian fare.

The conference was sponsored by Procter & Gamble Professional.

Trash to Treasure

Carolyn Lambert, associate professor in our School of Hospitality Management and coordinator of the Centre County United Way Trash to Treasure sale, and her team of the volunteers raised over $52,000 on May 31.

The annual event saves tons of items from landfills and Carolyn and her team contribute tons of hours to support the United Way and its 39 partner agencies. Paul Ruskin, communications/public affairs coordinator in the Office of Physical Plant, reported that 61.3 tons of goods had been donated to this year's event.

Thousands of shoppers lined up to partake in the seventh annual sale at Beaver Stadium. The line extended down the entire West side of Beaver Stadium and along Curtin Road. Several people began waiting in line as early as 11:30 p.m. Friday to ensure their spot at the front.

Elana Pyle, College of Health and Human Development representative for the Penn State United Way Steering Committee, expressed her gratification and congratulations to “….Carolyn and everyone involved in making Trash to Treasure another huge success in supporting the Centre County United Way.”

Photos of the Trash to Treasure sale are available at: http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/1717

Onward and Upward

Two senior management dietetics students received top internship appointments to follow their education at Penn State. Sarah Levy and Edith Clogg competed nationally for placement. Sarah Levy accepted her offer at University of North Carolina –Chapel Hill for a combined Master's of Public Health Nutrition and a dietetic internship. Edith Clogg will continue her career with a dietetics internship at the University of Maryland.

After completing their internships, students become eligible to sit for the Registered Dietitian exam.

“These students have more and more job opportunities available to them each year,” says Dr. Martha Conklin, adviser to management dietetics students in the School of Hospitality Management at Penn State. “As a result the number of students entering the program is growing rapidly.”

Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association 2008 Student of the Year

The PA Tourism & Lodging Association “…is pleased to announce Angelo Blakey, a student of The Pennsylvania State University, as one of two recipients of the Spirit of Hospitality Award for 2008 Student of the Year.”

These prestigious awards recognize outstanding performance, commitment, and achievements in the hospitality and tourism industry throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Nominees are judged on leadership, teamwork, and respect towards others; dedicated focus on customer service; a commitment to continuous quality improvement in the classroom and on the job; a professional image and positive attitude; and an overall commitment to the spirit of hospitality.

image of Angelo Blakey

“I saw Angelo as someone who met the criteria of an exemplary student who demonstrates exceptional skills and abilities in the hospitality field,” says Dr. Vivienne Wildes. She is Blakey’s advisor and nominated him for the award.

As the PTLA press release states:

Angelo Blakey, who graduated from Penn State in May, 2008, was a student employed at the Holiday Inn Express, State College, as a housekeeper. In all he does, he demonstrates a positive work ethic, whether in the classroom or on the job. In his role as housekeeper, he has developed a reputation for his sunny disposition, for always being on time and for working long and hard hours. Working since age 14, Angelo has held jobs at a fruit stand, at a restaurant and at a hotel. In his current position, he does whatever it takes to get the job done—nothing is too big or too small for him to handle. Unlike most students, Angelo also has the added responsibility of a family to support.

He provides for himself, his wife and their 2-year-old daughter, all while attending school and working. He is the first member of his family to attend college.

Described by his nominators as “full of potential,” Angelo says he would one day like to own and operate a hotel. It’s a reasonable goal for a student who has won not one, but two American Hotel and Lodging Educational Management scholarships, given to the best candidate in the nation.

The awards were given at PA Tourism & Lodging Association’s Annual Spirit of Hospitality Awards Reception was held on April 28, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East.

The event featured the Vivace String Quartet and an outstanding selection of fine hors d’oeuvres prepared by the culinary staff of the Holiday Inn. The presentations were made by J. Mickey Rowley, deputy secretary, Pennsylvania Tourism Office and our own James Purdum, CHA, general manager, Penn State Hospitality Services. Jim is also vice-chair of the Board of Directors, PA Tourism & Lodging Association.

Penn State Alumni who received PTLA recognitions include:

Rob Howell '91 MHRIM
Finalist, General Manager of the Year from the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort

Michael Ritter '96 Liberal Arts
Finalist, General Manager of the Year from the Historic Strasburg Inn

Nancy Noll '67 HDFS
Winner, Innkeeper of the Year and owner of The Queen bed and breakfast, Bellefonte, Pa.

A full press release and more information about PTLA can be found at: http://www.patourism.org/newsletter/ib080514/soh08.html

Al Schuman Ecolab Undergraduate Entrepreneurial Scholarshipm winners

image of Crystal Neil

Crystal Neill

Among the most desirable of restaurateur scholarships, the Al Schuman Ecolab Undergraduate Entrepreneurial Scholarship is a hospitality management student’s major-league "big win." This year, Crystal Neill (junior) won the top prize of $7,500 and Trevor Swope (sophomore) took second place for $5,500 toward their college expenses. The national competition is considered by many in hospitality education to be one of the most distinguished scholarships in the nation. “It’s not just about winning the cash award,” said Dr. Vivienne Wildes, scholarships chair. “This is an accolade that deems students most likely to succeed as future leaders.”

The Al Schuman Ecolab Undergraduate Entrepreneurial Scholarship was established to award students who are committed to furthering their education and enhancing their careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry while demonstrating a strong entrepreneurial commitment. The criteria states that, "An entrepreneur is usually described as someone who is highly ambitious, dedicated, innovative, creative, and refuses defeat. An entrepreneur not only has a vision but can develop a plan to realize that vision."

To demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit, candidates must write a comprehensive essay addressing an entrepreneurial project. They must also demonstrate innovative thinking and discuss how the project can be brought to fruition.

Neill, who runs an upstart Bison Burger restaurant on the family farm in upstate Pennsylvania during her time away from school, wrote of her ambitions to take the bison business to the next level. Swope wrote of his ideas to open a restaurant featuring local products.

“Both are excellent students and we are very lucky to have them here at Penn State,” said Bert Van Hoof, director of the School of Hospitality Management. “Scholarships, such as the Al Schuman Ecolab Entrepreneurial Scholarship, help students remain in school and continue their education.”

Speaking for the entire department, Van Hoof expressed great admiration for Crystal Neill and Trevor Swope as the first and second place awardees for the nationally-recognized and prestigious awards.

The Al Schuman Ecolab Entrepreneurial Scholarship is managed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

FS/TEC 2008

Scores of innovative technology applications for the restaurant industry took center stage at FS/TEC in the Exhibit Hall. In addition to the latest software and hardware from more than 80 exhibitors, FS/TEC featured a Technology Innovation Center showcasing advances that are anticipated within the industry in the future.

“It was great to bring our outgoing and incoming presidents and vice presidents from our student chapter of the Hospitality Finance and Technology Professionals to this conference,” said faculty adviser, Peter Nyheim. “My hat off to Rob Grimes who, as always, took great care of us Penn Staters.”

As the only students who attended the conference, Penn State’s School of Hospitality students stole the show, particularly when Web 2.0 was the topic. Ben Quick, HFTP president-elect, remarked that industry vendors were especially interested in meeting students. “It felt good to know we were a target audience,” he said. Quick and the other students also enjoyed the many, varied programs pertaining to the Millennial Generation which included sessions about mobile-ordering, online menus and social networking.

image of participants at FSTEC

On the Go

The spring issue of SHM’s bi-annual magazine, On the Go, hit the news stands in May. If you missed your copy please send an email with “On the Go” printed in the Subject line along with your complete mailing address to: hospitality@psu.edu. The next issue is due in October 2008.

Business Writing for Hospitality

Finally, a reference text dedicated to business writing for the hospitality industry!

image of book cover

Business Writing for Hospitality brings current and future hospitality managers face to face with writing situations they encounter on a daily basis. The text starts out with a grammar review and then jumps into situation writing scenarios for both students and professionals.

The text, penned by SHM instructors Dr. Vivienne Wildes and Peter Nyheim, covers prose for hospitality-specific areas such as: administration, human relations, sales and catering, rooms division, food and beverage and technology.

This book ought to be on the shelves of all hotel and restaurant managers who find a need to write. It also works to accompany many hospitality courses that presume good writing is a necessary component of the business. Press releases, target marketing, invitations and proposals are covered alongside the usual letters, checklists and reports.

The appendix provides a neat two-week training program that covers checklists from jury duty to mentoring; or, as we say in the biz – soup to nuts.

To order Business Writing for Hospitality www.amazon.com/Business-Writing-Hospitality-Vivienne-Wildes/dp/0131715712

Benefield Bash

This year’s Benefield Bash will be held from Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 13 at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College.

Always, the Benefield Bash promises to bring together PSHRS members, family, and friends for a fun-filled summer weekend of great food and hospitality.

As many know, the annual event celebrates the life of Richard A. Benefield, a 1948 graduate and former general manager of the Hotel Magee in Bloomsburg and of the Nittany Lion Inn at Penn State. Dick Benefield was awarded the PSHRS Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. He is recognized as a prominent hospitality executive who made significant contributions to the hospitality industry throughout his career.

Please join us for Events and Activities:

Friday, July 11
Evening Welcome
Saturday, July 12
Nittany Lion Inn Breakfast Enjoy the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts! Evening Reception and Dinner
Sunday, July 13
PSHRS Send-off Brunch

For reservations, contact: Angelita Johnson at 814-865-1854 or Paul Howard at 814-865-6728.

Alumni in the News

Patrick Thorton ’07 HRIM was promoted to general manager of Potbelly #188 in Moorestown, NJ.  The store is scheduled to open on June 10.  Patrick will have three assistant managers and about 35 associates working under him…great advancement after a little over four months on the job. Congratulations, Patrick!

Laura Bicksler ’07 HRIM has accepted a position as senior catering sales manager with Levy Restaurants at the Verizon Center in Washington DC. Before moving to Levy, Laura was with ARAMARK in Reston, VA.

Monthly Update Archive

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