Achievements of Spartans Rewarded ICHRIE's Highest Recognition Achievement was the theme for The School during the 2012 annual conference for the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Educators . The 2013 annual conference takes place as this magazine goes to print, and will be reported on The School's website by mid-August 2013. In 2012, one faculty member and two alumni were recognized for their lifetime achievements. The award recognizes Ray's lifetime contributions and outstanding service both to hospitality education and to ICHRIE.
Receiving two standing ovations from the audience of hospitality educators, Ray's legacy as a top expert on hospitality industry accounting practices is well recognized. Among his books, Hospitality Accounting for the Hospitality Industry is used throughout the world, and he has authored over 250 articles. Ray has spearheaded the effort to revise the uniform system of Dr. Ray Schmidgall accounts for clubs.
He has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students who have themselves helped shape the industry and the hospitality academy. Twenty three years ago, he established at Michigan State the Hilton Lecture Series, bringing to campus industry and academic experts to discuss a timely topic from both the industry and academic perspectives each fall. And he is revered for his work on behalf of ICHRIE and its FutureFund. Ray earned ICHRIE's John Wiley & Sons Lifetime Research Award in 1999 and the Stevenson W. Fletcher Achievement Award in 2001. Last year, he received the Michael D. Olsen Research Achievement Award at the 17th Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research in Hospitality and Tourism Conference's Awards Dinner. The late Dr. Olsen (BA '67, MBA '73) earned both his bachelor's and MBA from the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management at MSU, as The School was then called.
Eight faculty members, members of Ray's family, and many friends, alumni, and supporters joined him in Providence for the presentation of the Meek Award. Washington, DC, and as general manager of the historic Willard InterContinental. From 2004–2009, Jim served as president of TWELVE Hotels & Residences, a boutique hotel brand which he helped create. Before that, Jim spent 18 very successful years with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, where he was a senior executive and a member of the corporate steering committee that twice won the highly coveted Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Jim reminded the students that they will be "armed with a great degree" when they graduate from The School.
Relating a story about the time he was "let go" on the very first day of his first job with Disney (it all got worked out, he explained!), he told the students to be flexible, and work hard toward their goals. "Success is what we do every day, not in the future," he said. The students were able to attend because of travel scholarships sponsored by alumni and industry partners.
During their stay in New York, students participated in a dozen professional development experiences hosted by various hotels, restaurants, and clubs— and the alumni who help lead them. Record-breaking generosity on the part of corporate and individual sponsors in honor of the evening's honorees made the Celebration of Leadership possible. "We are fortunate to be able to recognize these very special individuals, and are grateful to our alumni and industry friends who have given in their honor," says Dr. Cichy. Hilton Lecture Series XXIII kicked off on Thursday, October 4, with a dinner in The School's dining facility hosted and prepared by Professor of Culinary Business Allan Sherwin (BA '64) and students in his HB 485 class. Each year since 1991, The School's Hilton Hotels Professor of Hospitality Financial Management Ray Schmidgall has presented a two-day forum addressing a single issue, with guest speakers from both the hospitality industry and the hospitality academy giving their perspectives. This year was a slight exception, with both speakers coming from the largest hospitality accounting company in the world.
Speakers for this year's lectures were John Baldante, CPA, chairman of PKF, and Robert Mandelbaum, director of research information services for PKF. The subject was the evolution of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry and trends in the accounting numbers. PKF Consulting USA is an international firm of management consultants, industry specialists, and appraisers who provide a full range of services to the hospitality, real estate, and tourism industries.
The USALI is the standard for financial reporting for lodging industry operators and is widely used. The chart of accounts has been revised periodically since its inception in 1926 and has always reflected the collective wisdom of hospitality-industry financial experts. Now in its tenth edition, this important guide establishes standardized formats and account classifications to guide individuals in the preparation and presentation of financial statements for lodging operations. Messrs. Baldante and Mandelbaum serve with Dr. Schmidgall on the review committee for the eleventh edition to be published in 2013.
December 2012 graduateS December graduation celebrations in The School of Hospitality Business always have a festive, holiday atmosphere. The December 15 "Newest Alumni Celebration" was no exception. The graduates, their families, and the faculty and staff of The School gathered at the University Club for a special send off and words of wisdom from Alumnus Mike Rice (BA '91), general manager of the Quality Suites Hotel in Lansing. After a welcome from Ms. Hawks, HA President Paul Finstad (BA '13) reflected on the graduates' years at MSU, recalling the friendships, the pivotal learning experiences, and of course the first-place Homecoming floats they shared. School Director Dr. Ron Cichy, himself a 1972 and 1977 graduate, also shared his thoughts, even singing his own version of the MSU fight song to commemorate the 85th Anniversary Year of The School!
He then introduced Mike Rice, who began his career after graduating from The School with Marriott, and then managed two catering businesses in Chicago before returning to Michigan to lead the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Detroit. In his current position, Mike has led his hotel to five consecutive Platinum Awards for excellence in service, facilities, and hospitality. And in 2011 and 2012, his property won the coveted Hotel of the Year Award, out of 990 Quality-branded hotels nationally. Mike was named by the Michigan Lodging & Tourism Association the 2013 Hotelier of the Year. Mike is closely involved in The School's Alumni Association, serving as a board member for many years, and lending his time and mentoring with various student events throughout the year, including the annual Auction.
But what the students will miss most after graduating is his world famous homemade mac and cheese at each and every after-Homecoming Parade reception hosted by School Alumni! He is active in the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau and serves as a board member of the Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association. Students enjoyed a productive trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in March, generously hosted by School Alumnus and Hall of Fame member Hugh A. Andrews (BA '71, MBA '72), chairman of International Hospitality Enterprises, Inc. .
Each of the students is a member of The School's Real Estate Investment Club. "The students are serious about careers in the hotel real estate investment segment of the industry, and Hugh is a master in that field. He is known for his management, operations, real estate, and 'thinking like the owner' practices.
This was a wonderful opportunity for students to learn from the best," says Dean Rainey. Li Chen (BA '05) Speaks at Shanghai FuDan University Li Chen (BA '05) graduated from The School in 2005, and is currently a vice president with HVS in their Dallas office. Li gave a lecture on Hotel Feasibility Studies at the School of Tourism, Fudan University in Shanghai, China, on December 11, 2012. Approximately 60 undergraduate and graduate students attended.
A native of Shanghai, China, Li spent years working in hospitality roles in Asia and continues to work closely with Asian-American hotel owners, associations, and financial firms with ties to U.S. hotels. Li has written several articles on hotel markets in California and international hospitality and tourism trends between the U.S. and China. Li volunteered as an interpreter for Chinese delegates to the 2012 International Pow Wow, a major hospitality and tourism conference and trade show hosted by the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board.
She continues to seek out new ways to combine her love of Asian and American cultures and is now working towards the coveted MAI designation through the Appraisal Institute. Just as important were all the alumni who attended ALIS and who made themselves available, not only at the January 23 reception but throughout the summit, to speak with the students and faculty members. People such as Jim Anhut, John Belden, and Matt Sparks, as well as Rich Conti (MBA '76), president of The Plasencia Group; Joel Hiser (BA '73), CEO of Horwath Hotel Tourism and Leisure; and John Pharr (BA '69), president of Strand Development Company. "I chose The School for its historic reputation as the top business-based hospitality school," says Paul Finstad (who is also president of The School's Real Estate Investment Club and CEO of the student-led Hospitality Association). "But I wasn't prepared for the level of commitment from our alumni and the widespread admiration they have earned throughout the industry.
It's really amazing." "We are proud to have a School connection to an important conference such as ALIS," says Dr. Singh. "Jim Burba does an outstanding job with this, and with the many other conferences his company produces. His impact on our students' education is phenomenal." Indeed, School students are fortunate to have outside-the-classroom learning and professional development opportunities such as ALIS. And it is a bonus that so many alumni and industry partners are involved, able and willing to connect with the students. Professor A.J. Singh has been named the Hilton Hotels Fellow in The School. The newly-created endowed position is funded through The School's existing Hilton Hotels Professor endowment, created in 1989.
Dr. Singh's responsibilities will primarily include his role as director of The School's Real Estate Investment Management Specialization. The Specialization is a highly competitive option for students who are committed to a career in real estate development. A select group is chosen each year for this rigorous twentytwo credit curriculum which requires strong academic performance; extra coursework; an interest in finance; a 400-hour, ten week internship at a hospitality real estate firm; and a serious commitment to this career path. Students from a variety of majors may enroll in the Specialization, which is designed to supplement their core degrees and increase their professional skills and career options.
As past president of the Advisory Council for the Wharton Center for Performing Arts at MSU and the MSU Alumni Association, she continues to serve on both Boards. She also serves on the Board of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau Foundation. Accepting her award, Dr. Knutson displayed her creativity, as well as her belief in distinctiveness of the Michigan State experience. Spelling out the word S-P-A-R-T-A-N, she defined in a poetic and moving way the essence of what it means to be one. For years, she has challenged her senior marketing students to come up with creative ways to define "What it means to be a Spartan," an assignment none of them ever forget.
She and her late husband, Bob, another beloved Spartan fan, have hosted legendary tailgates before home football games, and there is probably more green in Dr. Bonnie's closet than in anyone's. "We are blessed by Bonnie's teaching, research, and service in our School," says Ron Cichy. What better role model and inspiration could there be for our students? The School's Scholarship Committee nominated Paul for the Statler Scholarship based upon his leadership in HA, his academic excellence, and the outstanding combination of human resources, communication, and analytic skills he possesses. Perhaps the committee was most impressed with his intangible sense of hospitality. He says, "Hospitality is not just welcoming people into your home, it is delivering that compassionate service to every guest that walks into your establishment.
Hospitality means going the extra mile to make a guest's day—every day." Nearly each year for the past two decades a student from The School has won the prestigious Statler Scholarship. "We are very proud of the caliber of our students, and those who compete for and win this award are among the best," says Scholarship Committee member Dr. JaeMin Cha. Alumnus of the Year Steve Wagenheim is a creative entrepreneur who graduated from The School then earned a degree from the Culinary Institute of America.
With that perfect blend of business and food knowledge, Steve began a very successful career primarily in the restaurant industry. Steve is president and founder of Granite City Food & Brewery, based in Minnesota, a 29-unit chain known for its fresh food and on-site brewery—and the unique patented brewing process called fermentus interruptus. Prior to founding Granite City, Steve was at the forefront of the expansion and operations of Champps Americana restaurants as the co-developer of the concept and the company's first executive officer.
As CEO and Director of Champps Development Group, Inc., Steve merged the company with DAKA International, sold his interest, and formed New Brighton Ventures, Inc. Early in his career, Steve was a principal of the Leisure Time Industries practice for Laventhol & Horwath. Actively involved in The School's Alumni Association, Steve comes to campus to excite the students, and they feel very fortunate to be able to learn from someone with such varied experience in and passion for the industry. Parimal Thakor (BA '06) is vice president of operations with Maya Hotels in Charlotte, NC. Julie Tkach (BA '94, MS '05) is assistant professor and chair of Hospitality Management at Northwood University – Midland campus.
Erica Weinbaum (BA '12) is operations manager with Residence Inn by Marriott at the Dulles Airport in Dulles, VA. Chad Wozniak (BA '07) is general manager of Studio C! And Oscar's Bistro in Okemos, MI. Joseph M. Yasso (BA '07) is national learning and development manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Philadelphia, PA, and was executive director for Les Gourmets in his senior year. He returned to campus in Spring '13 to give the invocation for Les Gourmets. Dr. Dave Pavesic (MBA '66) Retires at Georgia State University Hospitalitynews, published by the Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality at Georgia State University last spring, featured Dr. David Pavesic (MBA '66), honoring him upon his retirement after 26 years at the institution. A food and beverage expert who once owned two restaurants, Dave earned a Ph.D. at Florida State University in 1981 and joined GSU in 1986 as director of the School of Hospitality, a position he held until 1996. He led the School through the accrediting process of the Accreditation Commission of Programs in Hospitality Administration.
The School's growth is built on the foundation he laid as director and as a faculty member. The article quotes Robert Brymer (MBA '72), an educator at Florida State and frequent co-author with Dave. Dave's leadership in the area of hospitality education has brought him national prominence. He is one of the most passionate people I know in his love for hospitality education. Dave is a premier researcher, the article says, with authorship of eight textbooks, 38 articles in academic journals, more than 24 articles in major trade publications, and seven book chapters.
He is actively involved in industry associations and has an extensive consulting business in restaurant operations. ProsStart is run by the NRA Educational Foundation in high schools across the country. It seems that Phil's nephew Tommy, a student at Saline High School in Michigan, enrolled in a class on culinary and hospitality management and called his uncle to tell him about it. Phil realized that Tommy was describing the ProStart program at his school, without knowing his uncle's involvement in it. When Phil visited family at Thanksgiving, he also visited his nephew's class. "It's competitive to get into the class, and the students are very involved and engaged." Many other alumni may also be active in supporting ProStart programs, but one we know of for sure is Alumni Association Hall of Fame member Mary Roszel (BA '88).
Kudos to all alumni who "give back," and so doing raise the level of professionalism in the restaurant industry. Chuck is Starwood's regional vice president, South East Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, and managing director of the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur. He has over 30 years of global hospitality experience, with extensive knowledge of all areas of hotel operations, as well as project feasibility studies, development/project analysis, and preand post-opening hotel management. An MSU economics major who graduated in 1977, Jim is the president, U.S. and Canada Division for Full Service with Marriott International. Jim represented the company at the grand opening of The School's J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Culinary Business Learning Lab and returned a few months later to speak in classes and yes, attend a men's basketball game! With Marriott since he graduated, he has worked in a number of management positions around the nation.
He serves on The School's Alumni Association Executive Board, and on the Board of the Farmer School of Business at Miami University . Dave majored in finance at MSU and then earned a master's degree from Loyola University in Chicago. After 25 years with Marriott, he is now group president, The Americas.
He has served with the company in various executive positions, and is now responsible for the financial management and leadership of all of the Americas' lodging operations, including more than 3,200 hotels and a workforce of 100,000. He is chair of the Americas' Hotel Development Committee and a member of the Lodging Strategy Group and Corporate Growth Committee. Dave also serves as vice chairman of the Board of Directors for Back on My Feet, an organization that helps individuals experiencing homelessness. The leaders spoke in Joel Heberlein's HB 237 – Management of Lodging Systems class on Monday evening; on Tuesday, they presented in Dr. Bonnie Knutson's graduate-level HB 875 – Marketing in the Hospitality Industry and Dr. Jeff Beck's HB 476 – Advanced Marketing in Lodging.
Also on Tuesday, Dave and Jim had a roundtable discussion and lunch with selected student leaders and enjoyed a meeting with Broad College of Business Dean Stefanie Lenway. The luncheon was followed by commencement for the undergraduate students at the Broad College of Business graduation ceremony. It is traditional in The School that, whenever possible, the speaker at the Newest Alumni Celebration is an alumnus of The School as well as a parent of a graduating senior.
This spring, there was indeed such a parent/ alumnus combination. Stu Wolff (BA '82), is executive vice president – Midwest for Acosta Foodservice. Formerly the Wolff Group president, his company partnered with Acosta recently to provide sales and marketing services to the foodservice industry. With the partnership, the company has more than 900 foodservice associates in over 50 offices coast to coast.
