Hospitality Heralds
Issue #13 - Fall 2013
Notes From the Chair
As we approach the conclusion of another semester, I wanted to share with our students, alumni and industry partners an update on the HTM program at GVSU.
Fall 2013 has again been busy as we undertake a search for new faculty, commence our move to the downtown campus and organize our inaugural Michigan Cares for Tourism event.
Due to the departure of Cary Countryman in May, we have been actively seeking a replacement faculty member to assist with the growing number of students in our classes. Our search team, with the help of students and alumni, are close to finalizing an offer and I look forward to sharing an update in our newsletter next year.
Click here to continue reading Paul's message.
HTM Faculty, Staff, Students and Industry Leaders GIVE BACK!
Imagine the feeling of watching over 100 people converge on your workplace and transform an area in one day that would have taken existing staff over 6 weeks. The first Michigan Cares for Tourism industry volunteer clean-up event did just that, and was held on October 6/7 in the Waterloo Recreation Area’s
Mill Lake. Over 20 GVSU/HTM faculty, staff, students, and alumni spent the day with other tourism industry professionals who volunteered their time, talents, and resources to help restore historic Mill Lake, a once vibrant camp built in 1936 and closed in 2000 for urban youth to enjoy their first travel and outdoor recreation experience.
Click here to continue reading about Michigan Cares for Tourism's fist event, and to see pictures.
Save the Date!
The annual Grand Rapids Griffins Hockey Game/HTM Scholarship Fundraiser is taking place on Friday, February 14, 2014! Join HTM faculty, staff, students and amumni as we cheer on the 2013 Calder Cup Champions, the Grand Rapids Griffins, while raising money for a good cause at the same time.
Tickets are on sale NOW! And new this year, tickets are only $10 ($16 face value) for the first 200 tickets sold! After that, they will be $13. Don't forget, it's $2 beer and $2 hot dog night, too!
Click here to purchase your tickets now!
HTM Faculty Profile: Robert Robins
When asked to account for his meandering career path and assorted hobbies, Affiliate Professor Robert Robins blames it on ADD. “It’s like being a kid watching other kids play with new, shinny toys. I say ‘ohh, I gotta try that!’ I’m easily distracted with a short attention span. I’m sorry, what were we talking about?” Robert says he sees humor in almost everything, particularly himself. “It gets me through the day and lightens up the harder moments we all have. I have to be careful, however, as my humor can often cross the line of appropriateness. My kids explain it as ‘Here’s the line and here’s Dad,’” gesturing widely with his hand and chuckling.
Click here to read Robert's full profile.
HTM 101 Students Complete Certified Tourism Ambassador Certification!
The Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) Program is a ground-breaking, nationwide certification program that serves to increase tourism by training and inspiring front-line hospitality employees and volunteers to work together to turn every visitor encounter into a positive experience. The CTA Program goes well beyond basic customer service training; it gives participants the opportunity to build upon their knowledge of the local region, enhance their skills in serving customers, increase their awareness of information resources and discover the power of tourism!
Over 100 HTM 101 students completed the CTA program this semester. This program was launched throughout the city over the summer, with nearly 600 Grand Rapids hospitality professionals on track to be certified by the end of the year. Thanks to Lisa Verhil from Experience Grand Rapids, Michael Scantlebury and Kristy Jack were able to participate in the Trainer program and work with her in teaching the certification classes.
This program is an important “value-added” piece for our students. It will be great on their resumes when looking for internships, and give them membership/certification in a professional organization prior to graduation.
Congratulations to all who successfully completed the training program!
Interview with Jeff Smith, HTM Alumni Advisory Board Member
Why did you enter the hospitality field?
When in my second year of college, I received an email from the HTM Department inviting me to take a look at what they had to offer. I had actually never heard of HTM before so I checked it out. The courses sounded like something that would interest me and my first professor was Chris Longstreet in HTM 101, after that, I was hooked.
When did you graduate and what was your emphasis area at GVSU?
2007 – Food & Beverage.
What was your first position upon graduation?
DeVos Place Food & Beverage Manager employed by the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
Click here to read Jeff's full interview.
Celebrate With Us!
The Annual HTM Spring Gala will be here before you know it!
Mark your calendars for Friday, April 25, 2014!
More details coming soon...
GVSU/HTM Awarded Grant to Work With The West Michigan Water Trails
Grand Valley State University, HTM faculty and the West Michigan Environmental Action Council
recently secured a $95,000 Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program grant to study and assess the West Michigan Water Trail. HTM Professors Michael Scantlebury, Robert Robins, Scott Rood, Paul Stansbie, Mark Gleason, and grad assistant Rachel Shane are all involved in this project. The team will conduct a year-long market study and product assessment for the West Michigan Water Trail. The trail would run from Benton Harbor to Ludington, and would be a great benefit to recreation and tourism here in West Michigan.
To read the complete Muskegon Chronicle article about the West Michigan Water Trail, please click here.
HTM Professor Receives Outstanding Mentor Award
HTM’s own Dr. Kristen Jack was named the 2013 recipient of the College of Community and Public Service Outstanding Mentor Award during the annual CCPS Fall Kickoff meeting. The award is in recognition of Kristy’s exceptional mentoring of HTM students, not only academically, but also in supporting and encouraging their personal and professional development while in school and beyond.
In addition to teaching a variety of HTM courses, from HTM 101 (Hospitality Fundamentals) to HTM 440 (Advanced Meeting and Event Management), Kristy serves as faculty advisor to the students’ Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) Club and is the primary faculty resource for students interested in the Disney College Program.
Click here to continue reading about Kristy's award.
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