NEWS & EVENTS
Midwest Lodging Investors Summit in Chicago (11-17-09) The School Honors Industry Leaders at Celebration of Leadership (11-17-09) CAREER EXPO XXXI Impresses Recruiters, Honors Las Vegas Sands Corp. (11-16-09) New York City Becomes the Classroom for Students in The School
Kevin J. Brown (BA '77)
"Be self-less leaders, using opportunities wisely and accepting challenges. When you have the opportunity to lead, you have the opportunity to make lives better for people."
The Legacy of the Leader-
Take a delightful, insightful journey through this colorful history of The School . . .(10-31-09) Visiting Leader Bruce Lange Impresses Hospitality Business Students
(October 31, 2009, East Lansing, MI) Bruce Lange (BA ’78), managing director of The Westin Kierland Resort, Spa & Villas in Scottsdale, AZ came to The School of Hospitality Business on October 19 to speak to students in Adjunct Instructor Joel Heberlein’s HB 237 – Management of Lodging Systems – course.
As an alumnus, Mr. Lange also participated in MSU’s and The School’s October 15 – 17 Homecoming celebrations, which included seven events in 72 hours.
Mr. Lange is a senior operating executive for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s largest owner/operators of hotels and resorts worldwide. As managing director of The Westin Kierland, Mr. Lange is directly responsible for all aspects of what is Arizona’s second largest resort. He manages revenues well in excess of $100 million and the payroll for 1,200 associates nearing $40 million. Prior to moving to Arizona, Mr. Lange has had regional operations responsibilities with Starwood in Colorado and Missouri and with Promus Hotels (now Hilton) in Michigan.
Under his leadership, The Westin Kierland has won numerous awards, including the 2008 “Top 10 Hotels” by U.S. Businesses and Celebrated Living and in 2008 Mr. Lange earned the “General Manager of the Year Award” from Host Hotels & Resorts.
Mr. Lange is a member of numerous professional organizations, and is an Appointed Board Member of The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University’s Alumni Association.
Speaking to the students in HB 237, Mr. Lange discussed the lodging and cultural experiences of the American public, as well as the various operating and ownership structures commonly found in lodging businesses in the U.S. He also gave interviewing tips and motivational wisdom, saying, “With 1/8 of the American workforce in the tourism business, we do more to confirm or dispel the U.S. image throughout the world than any politician can do.”
Mr. Lange was inspirational, saying, “What matters is taking the initiative in moments when your core values are challenged – doing things right as well as doing the right things.” He reminded students to always give back, that humility matters, to make a difference, and to “lead. . . always lead!”
The students and their instructor were very impressed. “Mr. Lange is one of the best alumni speakers I have heard come to the classroom and give back to his School,” said Mr. Heberlein.
At the end of the class session, Mr. Lange was designated an Honorary Faculty Member in The School.
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