MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

The College continues to progress at a rapid pace as we add outstanding new professors, students, and programs. We have always had good students, but as the University raises the bar, our students are becoming increasingly impressive. We have successfully recruited some of the best faculty members in the country in all our fields. Faculty and students, as well as alumni, continue to build an outstanding reputation for the college.

The college faculty and administrators are working hard on one of our major initiatives, internationalizing all aspects of the college. Several exciting initiatives in China that will provide excellent opportunities for professors and students are underway. We are currently working on curriculum, research, and continuing education projects with three of the top ten universities in China. The China Tourism Group® at USC is being developed as a division of our International Tourism Research Institute. This division will be staffed with top Chinese and American scholars.

We have two exchange students from Macau and one Ph.D. student from Peking University who are currently studying with us, as well as a Chinese professor from Beijing. Two of our students will be studying in Macau this semester. We plan to expand our exchange program, providing excellent growth opportunities for our students who participate. Ten students have been offered all-expense paid scholarships to study in Taiwan. Our global scholars program is being incorporated throughout our curricula with executives from all over the world addressing students via distance education media.

The Garnet Jacket Classic Gala and Golf Tournament are scheduled for April 19th and 20th. This has become an upscale event that is supported by many of our business partners and board members. We would love to have alumni participate in both events.

The College has an impressive Communications Team working to brand our programs and promote them in an exemplary way. The team includes Rachel Barnett, Director of Marketing; Tina Weaver, Director of Alumni Development; Cindy Kellett, Director of Development; Kenley Dick, Director of Creative Services; Erin Akin Carroll, Event Manager; Karen Kemp, Director of Recruiting, and Brooke Stillwell, Website Manager.

As you can tell, we are constantly growing and improving. We want you to be proud of our college and a part of all that is happening. Come on home when you can! You are always welcome!
 

Sincerely,

Pat Moody, Dean

College of Hospitality, Retail,

and Sport Management

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

As you can see by the Dean’s message, this is a very exciting time for the College of HRSM and we really do want all of our alumni and friends to be a part of it. If someone you know is not getting this eblast, please send us their information so we can add them to the list.

Promoted? Moved? New Family? Honors? Cool hobby? Great life experience? Great College experience? Unique internship experience? Did it lead to an awesome job? Want to host a gathering in your area? Want to talk to prospective students in your area? If so, we want to hear about it.

Remember, I’m here to serve you. If I can assist you in any way, please contact me.

Wishing you a successful and healthy new year,

Tina Weaver
Director of Alumni Relations

STORIES OF SUCCESS FROM HRSM

The College of HRSM is proud to feature two successful alumni and two current students in this month’s e-blast. Click below for more!

• Tim Webb: from trainee to CEO, it started right here in Columbia!

• Chris Bird: Fun places and famous faces

• Ahead of the Pack: Two students who are well known in the College of HRSM

GIVING BACK THE OPRAH WAY

Because of one HRSM course, 28 Columbia charities will be sharing the $25,000 profit made from a new kind of school project. Read more!

2006 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE AWARDS

The college honored our 2006 recipients of the Outstanding Alumni and Friends of the College Awards on November 3 at a ceremony in Rutledge Chapel.  Following the ceremony, recipients and their guests attended a luncheon in their honor at the McCutchen House. Congratulations to all our outstanding graduates and friends! Read more!

NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING ALUM NOW!

Now is the time to submit nominations for the 2007 Outstanding Alumni awards! You can nominate yourself or another outstanding graduate online at http://www.hrsm.sc.edu/alumni/alumni-nominations.asp.  The deadline for nominations for the 2007 recipients is March 2, 2007.

CAROLINA CALLERS WILL BE CALLING ON YOU . . .

Current USC students will soon be contacting graduates of our college. These callers are not telemarketers—they are current students at USC who are working to help the University raise money for the annual fund. If you decide to participate, please be sure to designate your gift to the College of HRSM!

CAROLINA DAY AT THE STATEHOUSE

On Wednesday, March 28, USC alumni and friends are invited to join the alumni association for Carolina Day. This event is an opportunity to serve as an advocate for USC and meet your legislators at the Statehouse. There were more than 300 participants for last year’s Carolina Day, and we hope you’ll join us in 2007! For additional details and to register, visit carolinaalumni.org/advocacy.

GARNET JACKET CLASSIC TO BE HELD APRIL 19 & 20

The fourth annual Garnet Jacket Classic will be held at the prestigious University Club in Blythewood, SC on April 19 & 20. Sure to be an unforgettable event, the Garnet Jacket Classic showcases one of the things our college knows best: hospitality. Funds raised from the event will provide scholarships and assistantships for top-level students and will support faculty research.

The Thursday evening gala features a live auction with unique packages for you to bid on, and the tournament on Friday celebrates the time-honored tradition of an exceptional golf experience. Our tournament is becoming known as one of the premier tournaments in our region!

We hope that you can join us for this exciting event! For more information check our website at www.garnetjacketclassic.com.

GAMECOCK NETWORK

JOIN THE GAMECOCK ALUMNI NETWORK
http://www.gamecocknetwork.org/

Through the Gamecock Network, you can search and message fellow alumni based on a rich profile of who you are and the network of who you know. Use Gamecock Network for jobs, housing, advice, reconnecting and staying in touch.

Once you join the Gamecock Alumni Network, be sure to join the HRSM Alumni Society Group.

So far 43 HRSM alumni from New York to California have joined!

HRTM CAREER FAIR

The School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management will hold its annual career fair on February 19 from 11 AM until 2 PM at the Koger Center in Columbia. This event offers companies an opportunity to recruit interns and employees who have knowledge about the hospitality industry and a drive to strengthen your company! For more information, contact Dr. Sandy Strick at 803-777-6665.

ALUMNI SOCIETY CAREER NIGHT

On February 13, the HRSM Alumni Society will sponsor the first Alumni Society Career Night. The event will be held in the Campus Room of the Capstone building at 6:00 PM. Alumni and industry professionals will present information to students about career planning and placement. The event will also promote networking for both students and alumni as there will be one-on-one discussions following the presentations. For more information and/or to be on the alumni panel, please contact Tina Weaver at 803-777-6721.

This first-time event was planned by the HRSM Alumni Society Board to support their mission.

HRSM Alumni Society MISSION STATEMENT:

 
The primary mission of the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management Alumni Society is to build an engaged and active alumni group who will work together to create a strong network that supports college endeavors and current students.
 

HRSM NEW HIRES

The College of HRSM would like to welcome our newest faculty, who joined us in August, 2006. They are:

• Dr. Michael Brizek, Associate Professor in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management (HRTM); Dr. Brizek comes to USC from Strayer University

• Dr. Basak Denizci, Assistant Professor in HRTM; Dr. Denizci comes to USC from Pennsylvania State University

• Dr. Robert Li, Assistant Professor in HRTM; Dr. Li comes to USC from Texas A&M University

• Ms. Lynn Bacon Keane, Instructor in TSTM; Ms. Keane comes to USC from Pace University

• Dr. Jung-Hwan Kim, Assistant Professor in Retailing; Dr. Kim comes to USC from The Ohio State University

• Dr. Jiyeon Kim, Assistant Professor in Retailing; Dr. Kim comes to USC from Auburn University

• Dr. Karen Lear, Senior Instructor in Retailing; Dr. Lear joined USC after serving as a Senior Attorney with Duff & White in Columbia

• Dr. Mark Nagel, Associate Professor in Sport and Entertainment Management; Dr. Nagel comes to USC from Georgia State University

• Dr. Kathleen Nelson, Visiting Professor in Sport and Entertainment Management; Dr. Nelson is visiting from University of Nevada at Las Vegas

• Dr. Ercan Turk, Professor in HRTM; Dr. Turk comes to USC from Texas A&M University

CALENDAR OF HRSM ALUMNI EVENTS

Reconnect Events
Join the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management at the Bonefish Grill for cocktails, appetizers, and an opportunity to reconnect and network.

Myrtle Beach, SC
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Bonefish Grill
7401 N. Kings Highway
843.497.5294

4:30 - 6:30 pm (Drop-in)

Greenville, SC
Monday, February 26, 2007
Bonefish Grill
1515 Woodruff Road
864.297.5142

4:30 - 6:30 pm (Drop-in)

“HRSM Alumni Society Lunch Bunch”
Who said there’s no such thing as a free lunch? Join us for lunch at the McCutchen House on the historic horseshoe to catch up on the latest news at the University and in the College of HRSM. This is also a great opportunity to see old friends and make new ones! Lunch begins at 11:30 am. Register early. Only 10 spots available per lunch bunch!

Call or email Tina Weaver to register for these events.  chweaver@mailbox.sc.edu or 803-777-6721

HRSM Alumni Society Career Night
February 13, 2007

6:00 pm
Capstone, Campus Room
To participate, contact Tina Weaver at chweaver@mailbox.sc.edu or 803-777-6721.

Baseball Preview Party
Thursday, February 1, 2007

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Members of the Carolina Alumni Association, the Gamecock Club and the Dugout Club are invited to join other Carolina alumni and fans for a special night at the ballpark with guest speakers Coach Ray Tanner and Coach Compton.

• Bring your kids to meet Cocky and enjoy baseball activities such as batting, pitching and running

• Meet the entire USC Baseball Team AND the USC Softball team, and receive a souvenir poster to be autographed by each player

• Enjoy ballpark food and enter to win a baseball autographed by Coach Tanner hear Coach Tanner's plans for the upcoming season

All activities will take place across from Sarge Frye Field at the Field House. Click Here for a map to the USC Field House.
Admission is free to all Carolina Alumni Association members, Gamecock Club members, Dugout Club members and their guests.

Contact Information: Cami Best (E-mail) - 803-777-4111

USC Alumni will receive a 10% Discount on Room Rentals at McCutchen House on the USC Historic Horseshoe

For more information about the McCutchen House, please visit mccutchenhouse.sc.edu