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Graduate student finds world of opportunities HRSM announces collaboration with Taiwan university College of HRSM announces 2013 Distinguished Alumni HRSM furthers global academic initiatives in China To further its global reach for University of South Carolina students and faculty, USC’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) has launched a series of new activities in China. HRSM Dean Dr. Brian J. Mihalik recently led a delegation of USC faculty to China this past March and visited three top universities. 
On March 24, Dean Mihalik, Dr. Rich Harrill, Director of the USC School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, and Lin Wang from the HRSM Dean’s Office, held a meeting with Dr. Tongqian Zou, Dean of the School of Tourism Management at Beijing International Studies University (“BISU”), www.bisu.edu.cn. BISU is an institution that focuses on training management personal in Chinese tourism industry. The meeting was part of follow up actions to detail a letter of intent signed by the two colleges. Dean Mihalik also met with President Zhou of BISU. President Zhou expressed a warm welcome to entire HRSM team and his whole-hearted support for future student and faculty exchanges. Both sides explored and identified several areas of future collaboration. A similar meeting was held on March 27 between HRSM and Shandong University’s School of Management when the HRSM team traveled south taking China’s newly built express train. Shandong University’s Department of Tourism has developed a working relationship with HRSM – two professors of Shandong University have conducted joint research under the USC International Tourism Research Institute led by Dr. Harrill. Shandong University will immediately invite HRSM faculty members to give short-term lectures in China, using Chinese government funding. HRSM’s March delegation visit to China also included meetings at Beijing Sports University, which in the past has hosted HRSM students during summer study abroad trips. Multiple joint projects are now under discussion. Eta Sigma Delta USC Chapter Announces Class of 2013 The University of South Carolina and the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) are pleased to announce the newest inductees to the Eta Sigma Delta International Hospitality Management Honor Society.
The Eta Sigma Delta USC chapter was formed in 1984 and today has more than 70 active members and more than 700 lifetime members. To be eligible for membership, students must meet the following criteria:
Dr. Robin DiPietro is an associate professor in the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at the University of South Carolina, director of the International Institute for Foodservice Research and Education, and student advisor for the Eta Sigma Delta USC chapter. Says DiPietro, “I want to congratulate all of the newly inducted members of ESD. These students represent the top 5% of all students in our hospitality program in terms of academic achievement. With this membership, each now has access to an international network for increased education and industry engagement.” The Eta Sigma Delta International Hospitality Management Honor Society was formed in 1978 to recognize hospitality and tourism students for outstanding academic achievement, meritorious service and demonstrated professionalism. The society also provides a network system for students to exchange information and ideas, and participate in campus activities, fundraising and voluntary programs. Today, there are more than 60 active Eta Sigma Delta chapters throughout the world, serving one of the world’s largest industries and one that represents a $14 billion business sector in the state of South Carolina. Additional information is available online here. Students interested in learning more about the USC Eta Sigma Delta chapter should contact Dr. Robin DiPietro by email at rdipietr@mailbox.sc.edu. HRSM students get into the swing at the Masters Science fiction leads USC alumnus to the bank USC professor named among world's top hospitality researchers Dental Hygienist changes careers, becomes USC’s top tourism and hospitality student Congratulations to HRSM students who made the Fall 2012 honor lists. USC students learn fire safety at McCutchen House restaurant USC's Rich Harrill to speak at South Carolina Statehouse on Jan. 9 International fashion expert gives talk at USC UofSC Fashion Merchandising student lands Hollywood internship USC retail department gets a front row seat to fashion Creator of 1979’s ‘Disco Demolition Night’ addresses USC students iIT creates website for LiveWell Kershaw campaign USC College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management announces 2012 Outstanding Alumni Award recipients Target to HRSM students: “What’s your brand?” Hyatt Hotels recognizes HRSM Hospitality Management student Leading sports business editor speaks to USC Sport & Entertainment Management students
Did you know that retailers typically have to sell $3,000-$4,000 in merchandise just to make up for the loss of one stolen shopping cart? About $100 covers the loss of a single candy bar. Theft falls into a category known in the retail industry as “shrinkage.” This covers everything that reduces inventory such as shoplifting, employee theft, paperwork errors and supplier fraud. Shrinkage is a key business challenge for today’s retailers. It’s now also, for the first time, an issue being explored by students enrolled in a new University of South Carolina course focused exclusively on loss prevention in the retail industry. “It may be the only university course of its kind nationally,” says Ms. Karen Edwards, the senior instructor leading up the new course at USC.
Edwards says loss prevention courses have traditionally always appeared at other universities within their criminal justice programs or through distance education programs. But by offering it as a retail-focused course, Edwards says USC students will be able to take their learning in loss prevention directly to a career track in retail management. “We are extremely excited about this new loss prevention course,” said Retailing department chair Dr. Jason Carpenter. “And, really, Ms. Edwards is the perfect person to teach this course.” Before joining USC in 2006, Edwards spent several years working for Belk as a merchandise coordinator, HR manager and corporate trainer. She’s also a licensed attorney and practiced law in South Carolina for nearly six years. At USC, she has developed the graduate-level courses “Law for Retailers” and “Fashion and the Law,” which provide students with an understanding of industry-specific legal issues and federal/state laws that relate to retailers and fashion-industry professionals. Through USC’s Center for Teaching Excellence, Edwards develops and facilitates workshops on teaching techniques and legal issues affecting higher education. Shrinkage … a big problem “Shrinkage is no small problem,” says Edwards. “I keep telling this to our students and I think it’s starting to sink in when they see the numbers.” According to a National Retail Security Survey, retailers in the U.S. lost more than $35 billion to theft in a recent one-year period. It reported overall retail shrinkage increasing from 1.44% to 1.58% of total retail sales (some shrinkage databases show this number as high as 2.18%). Total lost dollars in that same one-year period increased from $33.49 billion to over $37 billion. Employee theft continues to be the highest contribution to retail shrinkage accounting for more than 43% of all dollars lost. Shrinkage at Belk To help kick off USC’s new retail loss prevention course this semester, the class welcomed guest speaker Mr. Bernard Brown, Director of Loss Prevention for Belk Inc.’s Southern Division. This territory includes 115 Belk stores that together produce in the ballpark of $1.5 billion in annual sales. “I’m the guy they call when there’s a fire,” Brown told students. And fires of this kind are an extremely big deal for Belk. With more than 300 stores in 16 states, Belk is the largest privately held retailer in the U.S. And not unlike its competitors – Target, Kohl’s and JC Penny, just to name a few – Belk deals with a significant amount of shrinkage on an annual basis. According to Brown, Belk reported more than 15,000 instances of external and internal theft in 2011 – that’s nearly $4 million in stolen merchandise. “I’m excited to see this class take off at the University of South Carolina,” said Brown. “Understanding shrinkage issues and emerging challenges for loss prevention are going to put these retail students at a real advantage when entering the workforce. At the end of the day, shrinkage impacts a company’s bottom line. For big retailers, that can mean millions of dollars annually.” Belk continues to set new industry standards with loss prevention training for associates, as well as push out new and innovative technologies for stopping theft before it happens again, or as Brown puts it, “before it ever happens in the first place.” Belk has implemented loss prevention technologies such as in-store HD cameras, electronic article surveillance systems and, perhaps most significantly, a new and expanded remote monitoring center to provide an additional layer of support to many of its stores. Together, these loss prevention tools are helping protect Belk from major revenue losses. Fourth year retailing student Tali Elia says this course is exactly what she has been looking for to prepare for her career after graduation. Her father owns a set of retail stores in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and theft has been a major issue, especially recently during the down economy. Elia plans to go into the family business when she graduates in December. And when she does, she’ll immediately help take on the fight against retail shrinkage. “My dad’s business is a surf shop and surf shops are pretty notorious for retail theft,” said Elia. “This course and hearing from industry leaders like Mr. Brown is just what I need to be learning right now. This is education that I’ll be able to apply on day one.” The USC retail loss prevention course has a number of guest speakers from industry lined up for the fall semester. Edwards says the speakers will play a critical role in helping the students understand the business issues surrounding retail shrinkage and the role loss prevention plays in addressing this growing national epidemic. “It will give them a glimpse into how these losses will impact them as future retail managers,” said Edwards. “This course and speakers like Mr. Brown also show our students how the field of retail loss prevention offers career options in addition to the traditional retail management roles.” The retail industry accounts for some 222,000 jobs in the state South Carolina. USC’s Retailing Department is one of the largest four-year programs in the nation with more than 550 students. The Department is also home to the Center for Retailing, which provides retail research data to communities, development organizations, agencies and businesses. For additional information regarding the retail loss prevention course at the University of South Carolina, contact Karen Edwards at kedwards@mailbox.sc.edu. To learn more about the Department of Retailing at USC, visit www.HRSM.sc.edu/retl. iIT faculty present at top information systems national conference
The selected iIT faculty and presentation topics included:
Dr. Regan and Dr. Brookshire chaired a track on End-User Information Systems, Innovation, and Change. This involved reviewing over 50 papers submitted by researchers from around the world and organizing 9 sessions in which 34 papers were presented. This was the second largest of the 24 tracks at the conference, at which almost 500 papers were presented. Dr. Patten, along with colleagues Dr. Jerry Fjermestad from New Jersey Institute of Technology and Dr. Eileen Trauth from Penn State University, chaired a track on Social Issues and Social Inclusion, which included 22 papers chosen from among 37 submissions. Dr. Brookshire also chaired a panel on Integrating Technology into the Workplace. Dr. Harris, Dr. Patten and Dr. Regan, along with Dr. Fjermestad, presented a paper titled "Mobile and Connected Device Security Considerations: A Dilemma for Small and Medium Enterprise Business Mobility." Dr. Patten and Dr. Keane presented a paper titled "Integrating Wikipedia Projects into IT Courses: Does Wikipedia Improved Learning Outcomes?" Dr. Keane also chaired two panel sessions on Applications of Web 2.0 and Social Media in the Workplace. Dr. Brookshire and Dr. Keane presented a poster on Student Evaluations of Social Media in a University Course. Dr. Gerdes presented a poster titled "Follow the Money: Investigating the Relationship between IS Publication Outlet and Research Funding." “The AMCIS conference is one of the premier outlets for the presentation of information technology research,” said Dr. Regan. “Presenting at this conference helps to raise the profile of our program with national and international audiences and highlights the scholarly contributions of our faculty." The Integrated Information Technology Program is housed at USC’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. The program offers an undergraduate degree focused in network support and administration, corporate training and development, end-user support, database systems and administration, and website design and management. This fall, the iIT program also launched a new master’s degree in health IT in collaboration with the university’s Arnold School of Public Health. For more information, visit www.hrsm.sc.edu/iIT or call 803-777-6622. Former Coca-Cola CEO to speak at USC on October 8th New advanced degree now offered in health information technology at USC USC Sport & Entertainment Management Magellan Scholars
Millions of sports enthusiasts from around the world flocked to London this past summer to attend the 2012 Olympic Games. The capital city and International Olympic Committee unveiled a mega event seven years and $14.5 billion in the making. With nearly 9 million tickets sold and thirty different world-class Olympic venues, two University of South Carolina students wanted the answer to an increasingly important question inside the sport industry: how do Olympic event organizers accommodate spectators with disabilities? Finding the answer to this question took the students to London this past summer for an important research project and an once-in-a-lifetime Olympic experience… With funding from the University of South Carolina’s Magellan Scholarship program, Sport and Entertainment Management students Michael Finnegan and Jon Obregon traveled to London and conducted onsite research during the 2012 Summer Olympics. The research explored the issue of stadium accessibility for Olympic spectators and specifically those with disabilities, a growing area of national and international research in sport management. Collecting data from event managers at various London Olympic venues, Finnegan and Obregon looked at issues like ticketing (had London 2012 created a ticketing process that was inclusive and accessible?), travel (were services provided to people with disabilities to help ensure everyone could get to the Games safely and easily?), parking, and – in particular – a London 2012 customer service program called “Games Mobility” which aimed to provide accessibility for spectators with disabilities once they entered an Olympic venue. Obregon hopes their research will shed new “There are so many different viewpoints and strategies that various venues have used in the past in order to achieve a positive experience for spectators with disabilities,” said Obregon. “Unfortunately, there are still very few sport venues today that fully achieve this goal.” Sport and Entertainment Management associate professor and faculty mentor Dr. John Grady says the students’ research findings should help identify best practices that event managers can utilize in approaching accessibility at future mega sporting events. This research will also generate new knowledge in regard to Olympic stadium management. The student research builds upon Dr. Grady’s larger ongoing research project aimed at creating a set of training procedures for universal accessibility that can be implemented in stadiums across North America and Europe. Grady says both students contributed valuable research to a serious and growing challenge in the sport and entertainment industry. “Being awarded a Magellan Scholar grant allowed Jon and Mike to tackle a current problem facing the industry from a truly international perspective. Using the London Games as the backdrop for their case study, as well as the opportunity to interview event managers at world-famous venues provided them an unparalleled research experience,” said Dr. Grady. Added Julie Morris, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research at USC, “Jon and Mike’s project with Dr. Grady truly represents the heart of the Magellan Scholar program – students and faculty working together, applying classroom concepts to such timely in-the-field issues, and in this case creating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Created in 2005 by then-vice president of research Harris Pastides, the Magellan Scholar program is administered through the University of South Carolina’s Office of Undergraduate Research. Of the university’s entire undergraduate student population, only 120 are awarded Magellan grants each year. The Magellan Scholar program’s application deadlines are in mid-October and mid-February and are open to all USC students interested in completing undergraduate research. Additional information is online at www.sc.edu/our/magellan.shtml. The Magellan Scholar program’s goal of “discovery for every discipline” was realized with this project. Obregon stated, “Traveling to London during the Olympics was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I am so grateful that both Dr. Grady and the University of South Carolina Magellan Scholar program helped provide me with the opportunity to conduct research at one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world. Not only was I able to learn from the leaders in the field I was studying, but I was also able to meet and interact with people from all across the globe.” “This truly was an unbelievable experience,” said Finnegan. “While in London, it became clear that American and European approaches to disabled stadium accessibility differs in terms of standards and set guidelines. Understanding these differences will only grow in importance when planning and managing future mega events including future Olympic events.” Finnegan is a senior at USC set to graduate in August 2013 with distinction in Sport and Entertainment Management. Obregon graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Sport and Entertainment Management program in August and currently lives in New York. Both students participated in the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management’s undergraduate research track and are interested in pursuing a career in sport law. Finnegan and Obregon will present their research findings from the London Olympics at the upcoming 2012 Sport, Entertainment and Venues Tomorrow Conference as well as at the university’s Discovery Day taking place in Spring 2013. Professor Li named Best Emerging Scholar in Tourism HRSM’s Olivia Stroia named Global Student Scholar PCMA global student scholars must be enrolled with at least six credit hours with a major directly related to the meetings/hospitality industry. A minimum 2.75 GPA is required in addition to a written essay and letter of recommendation included in the student application. What does the Global Student Scholarship mean to you? How did you originally get interested in hospitality and tourism? Also, living in Japan and the U.S. for most of my adult life got me interested in exploring new places in a double status – both as a tourist and as a resident. I like discovering new restaurants because I love good food, and I enjoy staying at different hotels with unique concepts. I guess you could say the jobs I previously had and my living environments both showed me the way to this hospitality and tourism field. Have you had any mentors in the college? What are your career aspirations? The College of HRSM has a long-standing relationship with PCMA. A number of students have received scholarships from the association including current Hospitality Management senior Katharine Gausmann who was awarded the Roy B. Evans Scholarship from PCMA in 2011. HRSM is home to the University of South Carolina’s chapter for PCMA. The student organization provides members unique access to the hospitality industry and networking opportunities with executives working in professional convention management. Learn more about the 14 student organizations housed at the College of HRSM at http://www.hrsm.sc.edu/futurestudents/student_orgs.html. Related Links: International tourism and hospitality master’s HRSM students to run new credit union on campus HRSM tourism researchers say Aiken horse park a good bet
Event Management Students Host “USC Event Days” for local teens Sport and Entertainment Management students enrolled in the event management summer course SPTE 444 partnered with the Richland County Recreation Commission (RCRC) to host the second annual “USC Event Days,” a weeklong series of summer events hosted for local youth ages 5-12 in the Columbia area. The events were held at different locations throughout Columbia with a focus on promoting leadership and social development, personal growth and healthy living. The week concluded with an awards day event hosted at the Carolina Coliseum for local youth involved with Teens In Action, a program made up of -- and led by -- local middle school students serving the community through volunteering and various service giving projects. Guest speakers included:
Sport and Entertainment professor Haylee Uecker Mercado facilitated the project and led the nearly 20 students enrolled in the Event Management summer course at USC. In planning the week of events, each student was required to research various venues and participant demographics, as well as execute the planned events working under a specified budget. “I am so proud of how our students planned, executed and evaluated their events and how well they connected with the teens,” said Mercado. “This event is made possible through a wonderful ongoing partnership between our program at USC and the Richland County Recreation Commission. Through this project, our students learn the practical applications of their studies in event management while also having the opportunity to address some of the concerns, needs and hopes of local teens.” USC Event Days ran from July 25- August 1, 2012. Study: International horse park feasible in Aiken USC interns get opportunity of a lifetime in London S.C. Queen wins international title Jason M. Carpenter named acting chair for USC’s Department of Retailing
“We are extremely pleased to announce Dr. Jason Carpenter as the new acting chair for the Department of Retailing,” said Dean Brian Mihalik. “Dr. Carpenter brings a breadth of experience and leadership to this position. As acting chair, I fully anticipate he will help further the national reputation of our Retailing department and that his extensive industry knowledge will greatly benefit our growing student population.” Carpenter joined the University of South Carolina in 2005 as an assistant professor and researcher in the Department of Retailing. He was promoted to associate professor in 2010. His research in the retailing field is extensive and nationally recognized with a specialization in the area of retail consumer attitudes and behaviors. He has been published in numerous academic journals including the Journal of Retailing & Consumer Services, International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Journal of Product & Brand Management, and Marketing Intelligence & Planning. His appearances in the four major retailing specialist journals rank him among the Top 10 for all North American retailing authors. He holds active membership with the American Collegiate Retailing Association (ACRA) and the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA). “It is an honor and privilege to serve as acting chair for USC’s Department of Retailing,” said Carpenter. “My goal is to build upon the significant contributions of our faculty and staff and continue developing our program’s national reputation for producing top graduates and innovative research.” Carpenter earned his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He was awarded the Chancellor’s Citation for Extraordinary Professional Promise and has also received the Emerald Literati Award of Excellence and Highly Commended Paper awards. Carpenter is a past recipient of the Patricia G. Moody Distinguished Researcher and Scholar of the Year presented by the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management. The acting chair appointment became effective August 1, 2012. Study: International horse park feasible in Aiken An international horse park in Aiken? It's feasible ... but probably won't take shape without a major investment and lots of private-sector money. Those were among the findings of a feasibility study conducted by the University of South Carolina's SmartState Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development at the behest of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce. More... College of HRSM names Tena B. Crews Acting Associate Dean for Academic Programs
A native of Osgood, IN, Crews joined the University of South Carolina in 2003 after previously having taught at Ball State University and West Georgia University in the College of Business. At USC, she has served as director of Online Learning and Development for the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management as well as the associate director of the Technology Pedagogy for the Center for Teaching Excellence. She served last year as the college’s interim chair in the Department of Retailing. Crews stated, “It is my honor to serve as the associate dean for the college. I am happy to serve the college in this role and look forward to this new adventure.” Crews has served on numerous executive boards for state, regional, and national professional. She is a sought after speaker nationally on issues and research focused in online learning design, development and assessment and is a peer reviewer of online programs for Quality Matters. In 2012, she was the recipient of the National Business Education Association’s lifetime achievement award, as well as the association’s teacher of the year recipient in 2006. “Dr. Tena Crews is a distinguished scholar who, by accepting this position, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Acting Associate Dean of Academic Programs position,” said Dean Brian Mihalik. “I welcome Dr. Crews into this new and expanded role and congratulate her on this most deserving appointment on behalf of our faculty and staff at the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management.” Crews earned her Ed.D. in Business Education with a minor in Management Information Systems (MIS) from the University of Georgia. She holds a B.S. in Business Education and M.A. in Secondary Education from Ball State University. Learning comes easy in London Dr. Jeff Campbell's research paper (with co-author Dr. Ann Fairhurst from the University of TN) was selected Best Conference Paper at the International Food Marketing Research Symposium in Philadelphia. The title of the paper was: "Billion Dollar Baby: Local Foods and U.S. Grocery". Mercado selected for Venue Management School Class of 2013
Sport and Entertainment Management (SPTE) assistant professor Haylee Uecker Mercado was selected recently as one of only four academic professionals worldwide to be accepted into the 2012-2013 class of the Venue Management School (VMS). Five graduates from the SPTE program were also accepted and/or graduated from VMS this year representing the business sector; those SPTE alumni include:
The VMS program is offered through the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) and is widely considered as one of the most advanced programs for venue management education. Graduates include professionals from academia as well as managers and senior executives from auditoriums, arenas, convention centers, exhibit halls, stadiums, performing arts theaters, and amphitheaters. Venue Management School course instruction was held this year June 2-7 at the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia. Pat Williams, senior vice president of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, served as the school’s 2012 keynote speaker. "With the help of a college grant, I was fortunate enough to attend this prestigious school alongside some of the top and upcoming venue managers today,” said Mercado. “It was especially rewarding to see how well respected our program’s graduates are within this industry. This opportunity to learn about the latest trends and issues is something that will directly benefit our students at USC as I bring this knowledge back into the classroom.” Mercado joined the University of South Carolina in 2007 and currently teaches undergraduate courses in Sport Event Management, Sport Facility Management, Managing Part-Time Employees and Facility Operations. She is a North Dakota native and received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Coaching from Minnesota State University Moorhead, her M.S. in Sport Management from Old Dominion University, and her Ph.D. (2008) from Florida State University. Prior to obtaining her Ph.D., Mercado worked for the athletic department at Old Dominion University as the director of promotions during the construction and opening of the Ted Constant Convocation Center; during which time she was a finalist for Employee of the Year. Mercado and her classmates are slated to graduate from IAVM’s Venue Management School in June 2013. The University of South Carolina’s Department of Sport and Entertainment Management is the largest program of its kind in the country and the first at a major university to create a separate department for the study of sport and entertainment with a solid business curriculum. For additional information, visit www.hrsm.sc.edu or call 803-777-4290.
I met Rachel Gannon at freshmen orientation four years ago. According to Rachel (and her family), her years at the University of South Carolina have flown. She is an Honors student earning a Bachelor of Science in Retailing with an emphasis in Fashion Merchandising. The topic may seem glamorous, fun, and filled with travel. In reality, the retailing and fashion merchandising industry is hard work. Employees are required to be experts in the bottom line (i.e., numbers), forecasting the continually changing opinions of consumers, and be risk takers. Rachel is a combination of “fashionista” and CEO. She knows her way around the fashion world. Each week she sports a different color nail polish—preferably a bright color that matches her outfit. Her determination and drive to be the best businesswoman should not be overshadowed by her vibrant blue nails. Over the past four years I have learned that her only competition is herself. She has never once blamed anyone for a setback. She is positive and looks for ways to make the next opportunity successful. Rachel Gannon graduated in May 2012 and she remained extremely busy right up until her last day on campus. She was awarded the Department of Retailing Excellence award; the award was based on her academic accomplishments. Rachel also presented her honors research project at Discovery Day. The thesis was entitled, “A Comparison of Select Retailing Programs In Higher Education Across the United States.” The topic was selected to continually improve education in the retailing and fashion merchandising business. That is the way Rachel thinks—how to continually improve her surroundings. Rachel is in the process of looking for a career (not a job) after graduation. She told me that her resume is “very full.” The opportunities offered for students at USC and in the Department of Retailing are plentiful. Rachel selected the activities that she was passionate about, embraced them, and is now enjoying the fruits of her labors. Congratulations to Rachel Gannon all the May 2012 graduates. ‘Here comes the bride’-al wedding planner What are the "germiest places in a hotel room"? These research findings have been featured this week by numerous national media outlets, including Fox News, Time Magazine, The Today Show, Men's Journal, Travelers Today, New York Daily News and MSNBC, among many others. A mention was even made on yesterday's ESPN show "Pardon The Interruption." Read more by clicking on some of the news stories copied below: USC students teach importance of dining etiquette USC Chef making himself a name in the cheese industry
How did you get involved with this event? Is this your first time taking the tour? What were highlights of this trip for you? What skills/learning will you bring back from this trip? The Cheese Industry:
Chef Brian Hay is director of the Culinary and Wine Institute at Carolina and an instructor at the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at the University of South Carolina. Chef Hay has been working and teaching in the culinary field for more than 20 years and has an extensive background in catering. Prior to joining the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) in 2011, he spent 14 years developing both the Hospitality and ACF Exemplary Culinary Arts program for the Austin Community College district in Austin, Texas. Chef Brian Hay can be contacted by email at bhay@hrsm.sc.edu or by phone at 803-777-4402. McCutchen House featured in US Airways Magazine USC puts out welcome mat for students from India While walking around with the wide-eyed wonder of a group touring Disney World, 17 students from Auro University in Surat, India, recently took in the sights of the University of South Carolina. More...
Restaurant and Tourism Management The College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) has appointed Rich Harrill, Ph.D. as acting director of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at the University of South Carolina. Harrill succeeds Sandy Strick, Ph.D., who has served as the school’s interim director since 2010. A Gaffney, S.C. native and a lifelong South Carolinian, Harrill is well acquainted with the state’s hospitality and tourism assets–from the mountains to the coast. Growing up in rural South Carolina, Harrill is especially attuned to the role of hospitality and tourism in rural economic development. Holding degrees from the College of Charleston and Clemson University, he brings numerous friendships and partnerships across the state to the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. Since joining the University of South Carolina in 2005, Harrill has taken on the roles of both director of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Travel & Tourism Industry Center and the International Tourism Research Institute. He is also credited with co-proposing and securing $4 million in funding to create the Center for Tourism and Economic Development at USC under South Carolina’s Centers for Economic Excellence SmartState™ program. Harrill’s industry-driven business model and academic entrepreneurship has garnered more than $1.2 million in external funding for research, including grants from more than 30 different government, business and industry clients and collaborative work with national organizations such as the U.S. Travel Association and the U.S. Department of Commerce, among others. Prior to Harrill’s tenure at the University of South Carolina, he served as a senior business associate with Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, one of the nation’s most comprehensive university-based programs for business and industry assistance, technology commercialization and economic development. In support of South Carolina’s tourism efforts, Harrill has provided strategic tourism plans for Kershaw County and the state’s rural, five-county Salkehatchie region, an effort that explored hunting, nature-based, and ecotourism development opportunities. Most recently, he completed a development and economic impact study for the 14 counties of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor. Harrill has also vastly increased the global reputation of the University of South Carolina in China by building strong international ties that have led to research and exchange agreements with top Chinese universities, including Peking University, Fudan University, Nanjing University, Nankai University, and Shandong University, along with the Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao. His teaching at USC has focused on courses in sustainable tourism planning and policy, destination marketing and management, community tourism development, international and national resort development, and environmental planning. “Dr. Harrill brings a distinguished set of teaching, research and outreach skills to the acting director position in our School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management,” said Dean Brian Mihalik. “His expertise and leadership within the field of hospitality coupled with his knowledge of the State of South Carolina will provide an extraordinarily strong vision to ensure the continued success for what has become one of the top hospitality programs in the country.” Harrill earned his Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management and his master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Clemson University. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the College of Charleston. Harrill’s acting director appointment will become effective July 1, 2012. Video: Dr. Rich Harrill discusses his South Carolina roots and his appointment as the new acting director of USC’s School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management: http://ow.ly/bltA0. RELATED LINKS
The School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management is located with the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. The school is ranked in the top 10 nationally and has more than 600 enrolled students annually. Hospitality and tourism is a $14 billion industry for South Carolina. The College of HRSM prepares individuals to lead this industry locally and beyond. Congratulations HRSM Class of 2012!
The College of HRSM’s Class of 2012 also included 72 honor graduates, a record number for the college with students representing the departments of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management; Integrated Information Technology; Retailing; and Sport and Entertainment Management. Photos from HRSM’s 2012 Hooding and Cording Ceremony are now available at the HRSM Facebook Page. At a Glance: HRSM Class of 2012:
HRSM Class of 2012 graduates are from these states:
“This diploma doesn’t guarantee you success. It does, however, hold out promise of great opportunities that can be yours if you seize the moment and focus on walking through the doors that a degree from this college can open for you.” Related reading:
Eta Sigma Delta USC Chapter Announces Class of 2012
The University of South Carolina and the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) are pleased to announce the newest inductees to the Eta Sigma Delta International Hospitality Management Honor Society. The Eta Sigma Delta USC chapter was formed in 1984 and today has more than 50 members. To be eligible for membership, students must meet the following criteria:
Dr. Robin DiPietro is an associate professor in the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at the University of South Carolina, director of the International Institute for Foodservice Research and Education, and student advisor for the Eta Sigma Delta USC chapter. Says DiPietro, “I want to congratulate all of the newly inducted members of ESD. These students represent the top 5% of all students in our hospitality program in terms of academic achievement. With this membership, each now has access to an international network for increased education and industry engagement.” The Eta Sigma Delta International Hospitality Management Honor Society was formed in 1978 to recognize hospitality and tourism students for outstanding academic achievement, meritorious service and demonstrated professionalism. The society also provides a network system for students to exchange information and ideas, and participate in campus activities, fundraising and voluntary programs. Today, there are more than 60 active Eta Sigma Delta chapters throughout the world, serving one of the world’s largest industries and one that represents a $14 billion business sector in the state of South Carolina. Additional information is available online here. Students interested in learning more about the USC Eta Sigma Delta chapter should contact Dr. Robin DiPietro by email at rdipietr@mailbox.sc.edu. HRSM staff member named university’s top student advisor for second year running
Bradley began working at the University of South Carolina in 1998 and has been with the College of HRSM since March 2007. She is a graduate from the Darla Moore School of Business at USC and holds a master’s degree in International Hospitality from the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at HRSM. A Mississippi native, Bradley says she will share this honor with her students. “We have exceptional students with exceptionally large dreams,” she explains. “These students are part of our larger college family – we laugh together, sometimes we cry together and we celebrate our achievements together. I am very touched to receive this recognition in their honor.” Lauren Welch, an academic advisor in the college’s Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, was the 2011 Ada. B. Thomas award recipient. She says Bradley works with students to reach their goals towards graduation and beyond. “The dream of graduation and success is a dream that Stephanie shares with her students well after they leave our campus. She makes a lasting difference every day.” School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management department chair, Dr. Sandy Strick, says Bradley was made for academic advising. “She has a compassion and love for these students that exudes from everything she works on, every single day. Her dedication to mentorship continues to add tremendous value to this university and the students that walk through our doors.” The Ada B. Thomas Staff Advisor Award recognizes only one full-time staff member each year who has demonstrated a concern for students as well as displayed a unique ability to engage in activities that improve current advising policies and procedures. Nominations are accepted from USC Columbia students, faculty, staff or alumni. Since the award recognizes quality advising, nominations from students are weighed heavily in the selection process. The following HRSM students were also recognized at the 2012 USC Awards Day as the most outstanding students from their respective programs:
Amy Woodell, a graduating student from the Department of Retailing, was recognized with the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Service. Woodell was a 2012 finalist for the university’s Woman of the Year award for her work in launching the nonprofit organization called “Clothed In Hope,” which supports widows in Zambia. More than 250 awards were presented at the 2012 USC Awards Day ceremony to honor undergraduate academic, service, athletic, and leadership achievements. Editor’s Note: Kathy Smiling, assistant dean of student services at the College of HRSM, was the Ada B. Thomas Outstanding Staff Advisor award recipient in 2004. Dr. John Grady, associate professor in the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, was the 2008 recipient of Ada B. Thomas Outstanding Faculty Advisor award. Visit the Office of the Provost website for additional information and to view past award recipients. Faculty Awards announced for College of HRSM Frank Roach and Dr. Mark Nagel receive top honors for teaching and research The College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) is pleased to announce its 2012 recipients for Teacher of the Year and Researcher of the Year. Frank Roach, senior lecturer in the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, has been named the college’s 2012 Harry E. and Carmen S. Varney Distinguished Teacher of the Year. Dr. Mark Nagel, associate professor in the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, has received the Patricia G. Moody Research and Productive Scholarship Award. Dr. Nagel and Frank Roach have combined more than 50 years of professional experience working in academia and/or industry. Each is held in extremely high regard in their respective industries of live event management and sport management.
Departmental award finalists for the 2012 Distinguished Teacher of the Year included Dr. Jason Carpenter (Retailing), Frank Roach (Sport and Entertainment Management), Dr. David Cardenas (Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management), and Dr. John Gerdes (Integrated Information Technology). Steve Taylor received this year’s Study Abroad Program Development Grant from the College of HRSM, recognizing his work in creating an internship program that will send 50 University of South Carolina students to work onsite at this summer’s London Olympics. Taylor is an instructor in the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management and director of the program’s student opportunity and industry involvement. Karen Edwards, a senior instructor in the Department of Retailing, has received the college’s 2012 Teaching Innovation Grant.
The following HRSM faculty have received 2012 awards in recognition their of applied industry research: Seed Grant Award: Faculty International Research Initiative Award: Faculty Premier Summer Research Award: Patricia G. Moody Research and Productive Scholarship Award nominees: Editor’s Note: The 2011-2012 Faculty Research and Grants Committee included: Dr. Charlie Partlow (Chair), Dr. Ercan Turk, Dr. Haylee Uecker Mercado, Dr. John Gerdes, Dr. Jung-Hwan Kim and Dr. Robert Li. The 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year Awards Committee included: Dr. Tom Regan (Chair), David Bobo (student), Katharine Gausman (student), Sarah O. Haile (student), Bryn Harvey (student), Dr. John Grady, Karen Edwards and Tina Weaver. School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Hosts Spring 2012 GM Panel
“If you want it to, the hospitality industry will show you the world.” – Brent R. Gresham “The hospitality industry is very saturated and competitive right now. Experiences such as internships and volunteer work will continue to set you apart.” – Tony Tam “It’s fascinating the variety of people you’ll meet working in the hospitality industry – you’ll never meet a stranger.” – Ryan Tilden The School of Hotel Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM) welcomed three general managers from around the state of South Carolina on Thursday (April 12) as guest speakers for its 2012 Lodging Lecture Series GM Panel. The visiting general managers included: Brent R. Gresham Tony Tam Ryan Tilden The visiting general managers participated in an open discussion with students from different HRTM hotel and lodging classes. Each GM spoke to their personal career path and their own styles for management, leadership and maintaining staff productivity and morale. Panel discussions included topics such as: women in the hospitality industry, work-life balance, interview and resume tips, and current trends affecting the hospitality industry. The Lodging Lecture Series GM Panel is held each semester at the University of South Carolina and organized by the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM). For additional information or to be considered as a guest speaker for an upcoming HRTM Lodging Lecture Series GM Panel, contact the College of HRSM’s Associate Dean Dr. Sheryl Kline at 803-777-3249. The School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management is located with the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. The school is ranked in the top 10 nationally and has more than 600 enrolled students annually. Hospitality and tourism is a $14 billion industry for South Carolina. The College of HRSM is preparing the individuals that will one day help lead this industry locally and beyond. Amy Woodell finds inspiration in living a life greater than herself Amy Woodell, a senior Retail and Fashion Merchandising student from Cary, N.C., was recognized as one of only five finalists for the University of South Carolina’s 2012 Outstanding Woman of the Year award. The Woman of the Year award is sponsored by USC’s Women’s Student Services and Student Life, and is presented annually by University officials to an undergraduate who demonstrates exemplary academic achievement, service and leadership. All five finalists were recognized at an awards ceremony held on campus on March 27. Being named a finalist for USC’s Woman of the Year is incredibly humbling,” said Woodell. “All the things that have happened over the past four years have led to this wonderful recognition, but more importantly to this opportunity to tell more people about the Clothed In Hope mission.”
“I never imagined myself as a 21-year-old CEO of a nonprofit organization,” Woodell said. “But I’ve learned that real change is possible even if it has to start from something from very small. Something as small as being able to tell just one woman that they’re special and that there is hope.”
“Amy will be successful wherever her dreams take her,” explained Dr. Sallie Boggs, a professor in the Department of Retailing and Fashion Merchandising at USC. “Amy continues to combine her dream of fashion with her compassion for people. She is a wonderful role model for us all and I am certain that this is not the last we will hear of her.” Woodell will return to Zambia this May after graduating. As to where she’ll be in 10 years, she isn’t certain. More about Woodell’s story and project, and how to make donations, can be found at clothedinhope.org.
Busy, Successful year for Fashion Board at USC The Fall 2011-Spring 2012 seasons have been big for the fashion industry at large. With designer shake-ups abounding from New York to Paris, the industry is rife with changes and even expansion. Here in Columbia, S.C., that is reflected in the Fashion Board at the University of South Carolina. On April 9 through April 12, the Fashion Board at USC held its fourth annual USC Fashion Week. With a charity event to benefit the local nonprofit Pets Inc., a fashion symposium with Hunter Bell of the New York label Hunter Dixon and two nights of shows – 1.) Student Designer Showcase with a panel of judges including Hunter Bell, Emma Mahon of Emma Graham and freelance fashion stylist Josh Ratliff. 2.) the Sponsor Show – the week contained the most events ever held in the Board’s fashion week. In addition to these events, there was a silent auction that raised more than $500 towards scholarships. It wasn’t only the number of events that the Board increased this year but also the quality. Thanks to partners like the Tapp’s Arts Center who hosted the preview event during Urban Tour, the Columbia Museum of Art who hosted the symposium on Wednesday (April 11), the 701 Whaley venue who hosted both fashion shows, and Andrew Stintson of WAS Designs who decorated for both shows, the Board was able to match the quality of the venues with the quality on the runway! At the finale showing on Thursday (April 12) the board named 3 scholars: the Bohemian Scholar, the Handpicked Scholar and the VanJean Scholar and awarded each with a $500 scholarship. The scholars were Emma Howard, Danielle Minter and Mikelle Street. This year’s President, Melissa Karl, also announced the new President of Fashion Board at USC for next year, the current Vice President of Programming, Danielle Minter. Danielle’s 2012-2013 Executive Board will include Julia Hienz as Vice President of Programming, Taylor Santora as Vice President of Social Outreach, Giannina Thornton as Treasurer, Jessica Kiraly as Secretary, Brittany Terry as Executive Assistant and Nia Wylie as the Vice President of Promotions Assistant. None of this would have been possible without the continued support of the USC Fashion Week sponsors including Bohemian, Britton’s of Columbia, Handpicked, Just The Thing, LaRoque, M Boutique, Petal, VanJean and all of the many others. Editor’s Note: To learn more about Fashion Board at USC, one of 11 student-run organizations housed at the College of HRSM, visit www.hrsm.sc.edu/futurestudents/student_orgs.html. NFL’s Top Lobbyist visits HRSM “You may not be interested in Congress, but Congress is interested in you.” Where sports and Congress meet – that’s where you’ll find Mr. Martin Gold. In the 1990’s when the NFL successfully helped block state-sponsored sports gambling, Martin Gold was there. In 2011 when the NFL successfully avoided a work stoppage in America’s most popular sport, Martin Gold was there. And when the first phone rang recently for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell calling about the New Orleans Saints “bounty program” and the issue of player safety, Martin Gold was most certainly there.
Gold is a long-time Senate staffer, a highly distinguished scholar and a partner at the Washington D.C. law firm Covington & Burling where he co-chairs the firm’s Government Affairs practice group. He has more than 35 years of legislative experience in the public and private sectors and is considered one of the country’s leading experts on congressional procedures. He has advised the NFL and its sitting commissioners on significant and highly publicized issues, including:
“It is greatly beneficial to understand how the various moving parts of sports management interact with each other,” Gold explained to students. “Economics of the sport, labor relations, sponsor relations, government relations, successful use of new and old media outreach to customers, to name some obvious areas. Although each of these can be a matter of individual focus, it must be understood within a context. What happens in one sector is likely to affect others.” “It was a pleasure to have someone with the experience of Mr. Gold on campus,” said Associate Professor Dr. Mark Nagel who arranged Mr. Gold’s visit to HRSM. Our sport and entertainment management students were able to learn unique and detailed insights regarding how Congressional action impacts the business of professional sports. Mr. Gold not only presented pertinent information, but he also fielded numerous student questions, which provided the students an opportunity to enhance their understanding.” When asked his impression of the sport and entertainment program at USC, Gold characterized it as forward-looking and unique nationally. “Specifically, I am impressed with the programs’ interest in exploring the relationship of government relations and the business of sports. I am unaware that other programs have explored this interaction, which I know to be important.” Gold has lectured at the Russian Federal Assembly, the Parliament of Ukraine, Moscow State University, the Russian Foreign Service Institute and before numerous domestic university audiences on American political developments and the parliamentary processes of the United States Congress. In 2006, on the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, President George W. Bush appointed him to serve on the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. He has served as Floor Advisor and Counsel to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and was recognized in 2007 by The Washingtonian as “One of the Top 50 Lobbyists.”
Students from the College of HRSM’s sport and entertainment management program toured Charleston, SC on March 23 and visited some of the area’s top sports venues. The trip was organized by the Sport and Entertainment Management Club and included behind-the-scenes tour stops at:
Students met with facility and marketing staff at each venue, as well as with several top management executives. The tour stop at Joe Riley Park was arranged by 2009 SPTE alumna Lauren Allio who now serves as Director of Community Relations for the Charleston RiverDogs. Students met with Dave Echols, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Charleston RiverDogs. “Our day in Charleston was fun and extremely educational,” said Samantha Cain, a sophomore from Lexington, Ky. majoring in SPTE and current Treasurer for SPTE Club. “The tour of Family Circle Tennis Center was particularly interesting since we were able to witness first-hand the operational and logistical side of an actual event. It was exciting to see all the activity at the tennis center on the day of our tour.”
Faculty and staff that attended the Charleston trip included SPTE Chair Dr. Andy Gillentine, SPTE Associate Professor Dr. Matt Bernthal and SPTE Director of Business Operations Lori Hedstrom. Photos from the 2012 SPTE trip to Charleston are available at the College of HRSM Facebook page: . The Department of Sport and Entertainment Management is housed at the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management and is the largest undergraduate program of its kind in the country with more 600 enrolled students. Internships are completed regularly with organizations such as AEG Facilities, Feld Entertainment, Global Spectrum, NASCAR, Ticketmaster, Live Nation, USC Athletics, and many more. To learn more about this University of South Carolina program, visit http://www.hrsm.sc.edu/spte.
“We rely on our industry partners, alumni, and friends of the college to support, develop and encourage our students as part of their overall learning experience.” Janelle Havner, senior vice president at Kohl’s, addressed more than 150 HRSM students, faculty and staff on March 19 to kick off the college’s Spring 2012 “Dress for Success” seminar, an event held at HRSM each semester to help educate students on topics such as professional attire, interview etiquette and career planning. Havner spoke about the growing number of career opportunities available in today’s retail industry and challenged students to fully prepare themselves before entering the career search process. “It’s far more enjoyable to open stores than to close them,” Havner explained. “And the same can be said for doors of opportunity. Create you own career experience by seeking internships, networking with companies that you’re interested in, and by starting to work on your own personal brand. As employers, these are the expectations we have for you.” Havner joined Kohl’s in 2002 after serving as regional manager for Gap, Inc. At Kohl’s, she is responsible for launching the company’s newest territory in the Southeastern United States. This year Kohl’s is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The company has more than 1,100 specialty department stores in 49 different states and employs more than 130,000 associates. It’s tagline remains: expect great things. Additional representatives from Kohl’s that participated in the March 19 Dress for Success seminar included: Blaine Predmore, Regional Vice President; Phillip Daniels, District Manager; Mike Autry, Store Manager; and Lauren Fylstra, University Relations Manager. The event concluded with a live fashion show featuring USC students as models dressed in Kohl’s professional attire. The next Dress for Success seminar will take place in the Fall 2012. For additional information, contact Collin Crick, HRSM director of recruitment, at 800-611-4686 or Mike Moody, Department of Retailing internship director, at 803-777-0775. Information is also available online at www.HRSM.sc.edu.
More than 50 local high school and middle school students attended “Create IT Discovery Day” on March 17 at IT-oLogy located in downtown Columbia, SC. The event was organized by the Integrated Information Technology Program at USC (iIT) in partnership with IT-oLogy and was aimed at helping students explore the different career options available in today’s IT industry. Students participated in several hands-on learning workshops led by students and faculty from USC and also toured the University of South Carolina campus. Door prizes included iPads, iPods and other technology items. “We were very pleased with the turnout of students from the Midlands area and beyond,” said USC Integrated Information Technology professor Dr. Robert Brookshire. “We are also very grateful to our corporate sponsors: IT-oLogy, who provided the facilities; TM Floyd & Company, who funded the snacks and t-shirts, and Best Buy, who donated iPads, iPods and flash drives to be used as door prizes.” “This event is all about giving students the opportunity to get informed, ask questions, and dig into this thing we call information technology,” said Lonnie Emard, executive director at IT-oLogy. “We want these young individuals to understand that IT is changing the world we live in and how we live in it. But more importantly, the role they can have in shaping the future of this exciting industry.”
A news clip from Create IT Discovery Day is available online here. Event photos are available for download at the HRSM Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/UofSCHRSM/photos. To learn more about the Integrated Information Technology Program at USC, visit www.hrsm.sc.edu/iiT and for information about IT-oLogy, please visit it-ology.org/. HRSM Dean and USC Provost Speak at University of Aruba Kohl’s Senior VP to speak at HRSM ‘Dress for Success’ Seminar on March 19
Additional guest speakers from Kohl’s will include: Blaine Predmore, Regional Vice President; Phillip Daniels, District Manager; Mike Autry, Store Manager; and Lauren Fylstra, University Relations Manager. The Kohl’s Dress for Success seminar will take place from 5:30pm-7pm at the Public Health Research Center on Assembly Street and is open to all students, faculty and staff in the college’s Department of Retailing as well as to students enrolled in the HRSM 301 professional development course. The seminar will conclude with a live fashion show featuring USC students as models dressed in Kohl’s professional attire. More than 200 students, faculty and staff are expected to attend. Dress for Success is hosted by the College of HRSM in the fall and spring semesters and is designed to help educate students on topics related to professional development and the job search process. For additional information on the Department of Retailing or to learn more about the Kohl’s Dress for Success seminar, visit www.HRSM.sc.edu. Master Sommeliers visit USC, host wine workshop for hotel, restaurant and tourism management students
The workshop was hosted at the McCutchen House and covered a wide variety of wine related topics, theories and tastings. Students learned how to effectively evaluate, critique, decant, service and store different regional and international wines. Live demonstrations were also given on table service and appropriate table place settings. Certified wine specialist and HRTM 575 instructor, Dr. Sandy Strick, says the workshop is a something her students now look forward to each year. “Many of these students will be entering careers that require a knowledge of wine and wine service,” said Dr. Stick. “The opportunity to learn firsthand from master sommeliers is something you simply can’t overvalue in this industry.”
Dame is president and co-founder of the United States chapter of the Guild of Sommeliers and says that USC is on their map for one reason: the university’s hospitality program, which his group considers one of the top hospitality programs in the nation. “These students show an authentic passion for wine education,” said Dame. “Without passion, the education can only go so far and these students seem to understand that quite well.” First-year HRTM graduate student Shannon Sellers says the master sommelier seminar left her with a renewed sense of appreciation for the wine industry. “The truth is all I can think about right now is varietals, regions, climates and soil types. It may take me a while to recover from all this information but I know it will prove useful going forward from a professional standpoint.” The master sommelier workshop culminated with an examination of which all attending students passed. Upon passing the exam, students received certificates and Guild pins before officially closing the workshop with -- of course -- a toast of champagne. HRTM 575 is a an elective course offered through the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management and its school of hotel, restaurant and tourism management. For additional information, visit http://www.hrsm.sc.edu/hrtm or call 800-611-4686.
NBA professionals visit College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
Staff visiting from the Charlotte Bobcats included: Ron Chase, coordinator, market development; Ed Ibarguen, coordinator, market development; Eryn Gradwell, coordinator, social media; and Kyle Trenthem, coordinator, box office. Trenthem is a 2011 graduate from HRSM’s department of sport and entertainment management. While at USC, he completed internships with the Greenville Drive minor league baseball team and USC Intramurals. Immediately after graduating, Trenthem landed a ticket operations internship with the Charlotte Bobcats. That internship evolved into a full-time position for Trenthem in the spring of 2011. “Not too ago I was in your same exact shoes,” Trenthem told students. “This college gives you amazing access to industry. Use it and make sure you’re prepared to seize these opportunities once they come your way.” Students in attendance received insider tips on finding internships and how to start exploring the different careers in today’s sport and entertainment industry. The Charlotte Bobcats visit was the first to HRSM in 2012 and just one of many industry-related guest speaker seminars being organized this year by professor Jeralds. “I chose to bring in these particular speakers from the Bobcats because they are all young professionals in the world of sports,” explained Jeralds. “Their jobs relate to the material we have discussed and will be discussing in class. I felt it was equally as important for our majors and minors to hear from professionals who are just a year or two removed from college as to the challenges they faced in pursuit of their jobs in sports.” Information regarding current job openings and internships with the Charlotte Bobcats is available online at: http://www.nba.com/bobcats. Interested students from HRSM’s department of sport and entertainment management should contact Steve Taylor, director of student opportunity and student involvement, at 803-777-0796 or by email staylor@sc.edu. HRSM grows international academic ties in United Kingdom
“There are a number of very close synergies between the College of HRSM and our school of tourism,” noted Dr. Shipway. “The aim here is to continue moving this partnership forward and put real frameworks in place for further collaborations among our programs in tourism and sport, as well as in retail.” BU’s school of tourism provides courses in events, hospitality, leisure, retail, sport and tourism, and has over 1,800 undergraduate students and 230 postgraduate students. Similar to HRSM, the BU school of tourism touts award-winning research in international tourism and sport tourism. The school of hotel, restaurant and tourism management at HRSM is the state’s largest hospitality program and ranks among the top ten programs nationally. The school enrolls more than 700 students annually and has 17 faculty representing five different countries. Dr. Simon Hudson, chair of the SmartState Center for Tourism and Economic Development, is the faculty member responsible for bringing Dr. Shipway to USC. Going forward, HRSM and BU will explore a shared research network for joint funding and publications, as well as look at setting up a program for student and faculty exchange. Bournemouth University is located 105 miles southwest of London and enrolls over 16,500 students annually. For additional information, visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/tourism. iIT student receives coveted IBM scholarship
IBM announced its scholarship winners after completing an extensive review process that, according to IBM, included the largest pool of applicants in the history of the scholarship program, now in its fourth year. A Columbia, S.C. native, Richardson is interested in graduating into a career as a network administrator and, ultimately, becoming a chief information officer at a major enterprise. He is currently part of a team conducting joint research for the University of South Carolina and IT-oLogy examining the regional and national industry growth of IT over the last decade. The research is due out in March 2012. “I would like to thank IBM and each of the supporting organizations that made this scholarship possible,” said Richardson. “This award is validation of the hard work each scholarship recipient has put in as well as a reflection of our continued pursuits within the IT industry.” Other academic institutions representing the 2012 group of IBM Destination z scholars include: West Texas A&M University, Northern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, Marist College, Texas A&M University, and Huston-Tillotson University. Additional information on the IBM Destination z Enterprise Computing Scholarship is available online at http://destinationz.org. In addition to receiving the Destination z scholarship, Richardson has also just recently been selected for a summer internship with IBM working out of one of the company’s national corporate offices. “IT-oLogy has created the environment for individuals to make informed choices about their IT careers,” said Lonnie Emard, executive director of IT-oLogy. “Chris Richardson represents an individual who chose to participate in several IT-oLogy programs that enhanced the growth of his IT talent. This growth meets our collective goal of preparing our future workforce.” “Chris has demonstrated his extraordinary initiative in winning this scholarship,” explained iIT professor Dr. Robert Brookshire. “He has participated enthusiastically in all the industry-related extracurricular activities sponsored by our program. He is keen to learn all he can about the information technology profession.” HRSM students make big splash at USC Career Fest Spring 2012
More than 250 HRSM students came out to attend two career fairs, Career Fest and the Science, Engineering and Technology Fair (S.E.T.), held concurrently on Feb. 1, 2012 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. HRSM students took advantage of the more than 130 employers that were in attendance, which according to the USC Career Center is a 15% increase in employers over spring 2011. The higher number of employers indicates that the job market is brightening for students, said Tom Halasz, director of the USC Career Center. Onsite interviews were held for USC students and alumni seeking full-time positions as well as internships and co-ops. USC Career Center reported a total attendance of 1,482 students, a reported 26% student increase from last year. Bryce Garvey, a senior majoring in sport and entertainment management at HRSM, was excited to see the variety of employers at this year’s event as well as the overall positive attitude of students. “This really is a ‘can’t miss’ event for USC students seeking internships or full-time jobs,” Garvey explained. “This year I was able to have face-to-face interviews with a variety of top-tier companies, many of which were hiring individuals with my background and skill set. My goal was to stand out from the crowd and I think I did that this year.” To hear what other HRSM students had to say about USC Career Fest Spring 2012, check out these student video interviews at the HRSM YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/USChrsm. |
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US hotels pander to Chinese tourists Hill helps Olympic sponsors fight ambush marketers Faculty Awards announced for College of HRSM School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Hosts Spring 2012 GM Panel Busy, successful year for Fashion Board at USC USC business education professor, Tena Crews, presented with Gregg Award Martin Gold, NFL’s Top Lobbyist, visits HRSM SPTE students take VIP tour of Charleston sports venues HRSM grows international academic ties in United Kingdom Marianne Bickle, RETL, publishes new book, The Changing American Consumer iIT student receives coveted IBM scholarship
Kohl’s Senior Vice President challenges HRSM students to ‘create their own career experience’ USC partners with IT-ology to “Create IT Discovery” for local youth HRSM Dean and USC Provost Speak at University of Aruba Harrill to Lead School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Young girls hit the runway to fulfill big dreams What Chinese tourists want when visiting the U.S. Wedding winners tie knot in USC-planned ceremony Dr. Rich Harill (HRTM) op-ed column for The State newspaper: "Harrill: Hunting for economic development" HRSM alumnus Mark Plessinger (HRTM '96) featured in The State newspaper "Main Street pioneer advances in contest" The Department of Retailing would like to congratulate the following former Gamecock football players and University of South Carolina Retailing students -- each is now headed to the National Football League: Patricia G. Moody Research and Productive Scholarship Award: Marianne Bickle, RETL, publishes new book, The Changing American Consumer Fashion Board at USC, a USC student organizations house at HRSM, was featured in The State newspaper for its Fashion Week 2012 event USC retail student is 'sew' fashion-forward Dr. Mark Nagel (SPTE) mentioned in the New York Times MidlandsConnect.com story features students and faculty from the Integrated Information Technology Program at HRSM Dr. Marianne Bickle (RETL) quoted for story in the Charlotte Business Journal "Aspiring retailers, franchisees seek loan alternatives" USC's Third Largest College Among SC's Largest Career Launchers $20 Billion Reduction Plan by U.S. Postal Service New racing group speeds search for Grand Prix sponsor Study will analyze feasibility of horse park HRSM students set to show off their passion for fashion Will pathway to Democratic Convention wind through S.C.? Safety concerns may slow cruise industry's growth Chinese travelers are seeing the USA in record numbers A free wedding, courtesy of USC |
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The following 22 students from the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management were formally inducted and honored on Friday (April 19): Brent Olsen, Kayla Johnson, Sarah Harp, Laura Schmidt, Anastasia Rose, Chelsea King, Steve Cerasaro, Meghan Carnovale, Valorie Malone, Jana Chavous, LaShauna Nesmith, Edward Windhaus, Dana Bergen, Karli Weiss, Austin Berry, Ashley Bankhead, Alejandra Casafranco, Ashley Richburg, Chet Walters, Camryn Scaffe, Hilary Yeh and Marcus Hall.
Six faculty from the University of South Carolina’s 
light on stadium accessibility issues and perhaps even help create new universally accepted standards and guidelines for stadium accessibly for fans with disabilities.
Congratulations to International Hospitality and Tourism Management master’s student Olivia V. Stroia for receiving the 2012 Global Student Scholarship from the Professional Convention Management Association Foundation (PCMA). 
One of the largest academic retailing programs in the country has named a new department head. The University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) has appointed Jason M. Carpenter acting chair for the Department of Retailing. He succeeds Tena B. Crews who served as the department’s interim chair in 2011-2012.
The University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) has appointed Tena B. Crews acting associate dean for academic programs. In this position, she will serve as the program’s liaison for the college with the provost and the university wide committee. Crews will maintain a class each semester teaching in the Integrated Information Technology Program at USC. 
Chef Brian Hay was selected recently as one of only 12 culinary instructors from around the country to participate in an expense paid, three-day tour of Wisconsin cheese making. The tour featured a developmental symposium for cheese education and onsite visits to many of the state’s top cheese making factories. Selected culinary instructors also attended a seminar held at the Emmi-Roth corporate manufacturing plant in Monroe, Wisconsin and completed a three-hour tour of The Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. 
Photos from Chef Hay’s Wisconsin cheese tour are now available on the HRSM Facebook Page at: 
The College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) honored 192 new graduates this spring at a ceremony held on Saturday (May 5). Graduating students join an alumni group that now includes more than 18,500 HRSM gamecocks, many of whom hold management-level positions for top companies in the growing industries hospitality, restaurant, tourism, retail, sport, live entertainment and information technology. 
HRSM’s Class of 2012 graduates are a part of the 4,958 University of South Carolina students that graduated at the Columbia campus this May. Total enrollment at USC this fall was 45,774, a record amount for the university. The College of HRSM set its own record enrollment this fall with 2,103 students. Additional information is available at 
For the second consecutive year, a staff member from the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) has received the University of South Carolina’s top award for outstanding student advisement. 
Woodell hopes her organization will create a ripple effect of students and volunteers from around the world to ignite real change throughout Zambia, a country that has become one of the world’s poorest and most riddled with disease and societal injustice. 
The National Football League’s top lobbyist, Mr. Martin Gold, made a visit to the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) on Thursday (March 29) to speak in front of University of South Carolina sport and entertainment management students. 
The IT industry in South Carolina now employs more than 47,300 professionals and Information Technology was recently named by the University of South Carolina as one of its Top 5 Most Popular Majors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs in the IT sector will increase by as much as 30% by 2018.
Kohl’s Senior Vice President Janelle Havner will give a keynote presentation to HRSM students as part of the college’s‘Kohl’s Dress for Success’ seminar scheduled for Monday, March 19. Havner has more than 28 years of experience in the retail industry and currently serves as Senior V.P. of the Kohl’s Southeastern Territory Division. Prior to joining the company in 2002, she served as Regional Manager with Gap, Inc. 
Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management
The now annual visit to USC is one of only five university stops for master sommeliers Andrew McNamara, Fred Dame and Matt Stamp. In addition to USC, the Guild of Sommeliers holds workshops for students at Purdue University, Houston University, California Polytechnic State University and Auburn University.
University of South Carolina students majoring or minoring in sport and entertainment management got to play some one-one-one recently with several staff professionals working for the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats franchise. 
The College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) and Bournemouth University (BU) located in the United Kingdom continue to explore new strategic alliances for their award-winning programs in tourism and sport. HRSM hosted Bournemouth University’s top international tourism expert, Dr. Richard Shipway, for a weeklong visit to USC in Feb. 2012. The visit was Dr. Shipway’s first to USC and the state of South Carolina, and included campus meetings with faculty from HRSM’s school of hotel, restaurant and tourism management as well as faculty in the department of sport and entertainment management. 
Chris Richardson, a junior majoring in integrated information technology (iIT) at the University of South Carolina, has been selected as one of only 12 students nationwide to receive the 2012 IBM Destination z Enterprise Computing Scholarship. 
