ABOUT US Mission & Values Historic Milestones Calendar Events The School News Newsletters Leadership Contact Us Media Center

(10-31-09) It’s About the Future

(October 31, 2009, East Lansing, MI) It’s about more than football, brats, beautiful fall colors, and marching bands. Alumni of The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University certainly enjoy all those aspects of Homecoming weekend, which occurred this year from Thursday, October 15 through Saturday, October 17.

But in a whirlwind of seven “events” in 72 hours, School alumni return “home” to connect with current students, reconnect with each other, and help guide The School in its leadership mission in hospitality business education.

Thursday morning brought the 3rd annual alumni/student golf outing at Forest Akers West golf course on campus. The pairings allowed eight students to get to know eight alumni in an informal golf setting.

That afternoon, The School hosted an annual faculty-alumni roundtable, where current research efforts and industry challenges were discussed. Each year this roundtable highlights how academic and industry issues intersect, as well as the important connection between School alumni and faculty.

The roundtable was followed by the Spartan Sponsors Mentor Program kick off, with each returning alumnus formally paired – for the entire year – with a student who shares his or her career interest. The mentoring partnership provides the students with information about the industry and advice about career and paths, and often results in lifelong friendships.

For most of the day on Friday, the Executive Board of Directors and the Appointed Board of Directors of The School’s very active and involved Alumni Association met, including their various committees. The Boards’ committees developed several action plans, heard from student and faculty leaders, and nominees for the Association’s 2010 alumni awards were selected and affirmed. The awards include the Alumnus of the Year, Emerging Alumni Leaders of the Year, the Faculty Staff Award, the Wall of Fame Class of Alumni Leaders, and the Industry Leader of the Year.

Even in the recession, the Board Members came to campus from all over the nation. The group included 15 from Michigan, five from California, four from Georgia, two from Illinois, two from Colorado, two from Minnesota, two from Florida, and one each from Arizona, South Carolina, Washington, and Washington, DC.

Of the alumni and the day-long work sessions, Director and Professor (and Alumnus) Dr. Ron Cichy (BA ’72, MBA ’77) said, “I get a little emotional when I think about the number of our Board members who return to campus at their own expense and then work so diligently and give so much on behalf of our School. These individuals are selfless.”

Students, faculty, and alumni bonded in a “spirited” way when they walked with the School float in MSU’s annual Homecoming Parade. This year’s Homecoming theme was “We’ve Always Been Green,” and The School’s float reflected that sentiment with its own “From Farm to Fork” message. After the parade, the group gathered at Eppley Center for the annual post-parade reception hosted by Alumni Board members Mike Rice (BA ’76), Tim Pugh (BA ’91), Allegra Johnson (BA ’91), and Chuck Day (BA ’91). Students were treated to lots of food and drawings for t-shirts, caps, bags, and restaurant gift certificates.

On Homecoming Saturday, The School hosted the best tailgate reception on campus, presented across from The School’s dining room and kitchens in the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center by Professor of Culinary Business Allan Sherwin (BA ’64) and the students in his HB 485 class, as well as hard-working student volunteers. The event began early to accommodate the noon kickoff, and featured Michigan foods creatively prepared, including cheese blintzes with apple topping, potato latkes with homemade applesauce, Cherries Jubilee – homemade ice cream with Michigan cherries, potatoes O’Brien, made-to-order omelets with eggs farmed locally, homemade donuts and pastries, apple sausage, and hickory smoked lox with bagels.

Dr. Roy Simon helped welcome the guests, acknowledging that The School’s reputation spans the globe, and whenever he and President Lou Anna Simon travel, they are reminded of the influence of its alumni. Prizes in the drawings included School aprons, lunchboxes, caps, and even tickets to next year’s Homecoming reception.

The whirlwind concluded with faculty, students, and alumni enjoying a Spartan victory over Northwestern, certainly a highlight of the weekend, but only one of many.

“I come back for Homecoming each year to this beautiful campus, but not just for football,” says School Alumni Association President Ken Weber (BA ’77), president of Weber’s Inn in Ann Arbor. “I am proud of what our alumni stand for, and grateful for the genuine friendship and connection we feel for the students and faculty. I think it’s an unusually close bond.”

Alumni Association Chairman Marc Gordon (MBA ’73) said, “Students, faculty, and alumni are a triple-decker treat that I treasure each Homecoming. What is reinforced each autumn on campus at Homecoming continues throughout the year.”

# # #

Archived News