News

Fashion Board Sponsors Fashion Week at USC

HRSM Teacher of the Year and Researcher of the Year are Named

Retailing in the News — Visual Merchanding Takes It to the Streets, Fashion Board Reaches New Level, Perry Lancaster Talks Fashion

HRTM welcomed John Merkin, with InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG), as Guest Lecturer in Hotel Management and Lodging

SPTE Hosts Baltimore Raven's Owner Steve Bisciotti as Guest Lecturer in the Thomas H. Regan Executive Sport Seminar

University of South Carolina Hosts Honor Flight
Festival for WW II Vets

Club Management alumni give great advice to students at a recent visit back to USC

Fashion Board Sponsors Fashion Week at USC

The Fashion Board at USC sponsored its first ever fashion week April 13-18, and it was a huge success. The week began with Denim Day, and members collected gently worn jeans to stock the clothing closet for foster children at the SC Department of Social Services. They also enjoyed watching “The Devil Wears Prada” at movie night and a style workshop at the School of Music. The highlight of the week was a fashion show at 701 Whaley that featured USC designers Emily Smith, Brad Boltinghouse, and Emma Mahon and spring collections from Britton’s, LaRoque, M Boutique, Mary, and Belladea. Over 200 people turned out for the event. Marquis Bias, Vice President of Programming and coordinator of the event said, “This fashion show was a dream of mine since last year. It was a lot of work by all of the members but it was well worth it. I can’t wait until next year.” For photos, click here.

The Fashion Board at USC is open to any full-time student at USC. There are currently over 100 members, and meetings are held every other Wednesday night. The fall membership drive will begin in August. For additional details, contact Dr. Sallie Boggs, advisor, at 777-3653 or sboggs@mailbox.sc.edu.

HRSM Teacher of the Year and Researcher of the Year are Named

The Harry E. and Carmen S. Varney Distinguished Teacher of the Year and the Patricia G. Moody Researcher of the Year recipients were announced Tuesday, March 31 at a recognition ceremony at Rutledge Chapel. Dr. John Grady was named Teacher of the Year and Dr. Jason Carpenter was given the Researcher of the Year award.

Dr. Grady is an assistant professor in the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management. He holds both his Ph.D. and J.D. degrees from Florida State University. He teaches classes in Business Law and Risk Management as well as Sport Law and Risk and Security Management. His research interests focus primarily on the legal aspects of the business of sport. Dr. Grady has mentored many students conducting undergraduate research, including one of the first Magellan Scholars at USC. Dr. Grady received the Patricia G. Moody Researcher of the Year in 2008.

Dr. Jason Carpenter is an assistant professor in the Department of Retailing. He holds his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Carpenter serves as Curriculum Coordinator for the Department of Retailing. His research interests include consumer shopping value, retail format choice, consumer credit issues, and teaching methods in retailing. He has successfully secured research funding internal and external sources, and has published articles in a variety of refereed journals. He has also held professional positions in retail management, merchandising, and product development.

Taking It to the Streets

Students in Dr. Sallie Boggs’ Visual Merchandising course, RETL 365, are taking their displays to the streets of the Devine Street corridor, the Vista, and Five Points. Instead of creating their displays in the coliseum window, students are applying the concepts they are learning in class in the real world. Displays can be spotted at Mary, 2 Gg’s, Hiller Hardware, Oops!, Good for the Sole, Blue Tile Skate Shop, and Three Dog Bakery in Five Points, and Pink Sorbet on Devine Street. The merchants have welcomed the students into their stores and have enjoyed seeing what they have created. “It’s a great partnership. The merchants get some help with their windows and the students receive a wonderful opportunity to apply what they learn in the real world of retailing. Nothing beats that,” said Boggs. This on-site learning laboratory will continue in the fall, and merchants are excited about continuing the partnership. “The students have done great jobs,” said Kelly Tabor, owner of Good for the Sole, “I am eager to work with them again next semester.”

Fashion Board Reaches New Levels

The Fashion Board at USC has reached new levels of membership and activity this year. The board now boasts of over 100 members and has been busy during the year with a variety of activities. In the fall, members raised over $500.00 in one day to support Lee Denim Day and breast cancer research. They have also partnered with the Foster Care Review Board at The South Carolina Department of Social services to provide display fixtures for their clothing closet. Members have enjoyed hearing from fashion interns at their program meetings, as well as a sewing instructor from Creative Sewing. Designer profiles have also been presented at meetings. In conjunction with Creative Sewing, a sewing class has been offered to members at a discount, and a crochet guild has been organized to have board members teach other members to crochet. The guild meets before each regular meeting. In the fall, a t-shirt design contest was held, and the winning entry was placed on Fashion Board t-shirts for members. In addition, a Fashion Board logo was developed. Also in the fall, the Board members enjoyed a “Devine Walk,” in which Devine Street store owners opened their businesses after hours and spoke to members about fashion and retailing. Participating merchants also offered students discounts on merchandise. The big event for the spring is Fashion Week, to be held April 13-17th. A week of activities is planned to increase awareness of Fashion Board and the importance of the fashion industry. On Monday, members will launch a denim drive on Greene street, encouraging students to donate gently worn jeans to the clothing closet at DSS. Tuesday is “Fashion at the Movies,” in which a double feature will be shown to members and guests. Wednesday is Publicity Day. Members will have a “Fashion Ration” bake sale at the coliseum and also sell Fashion Board koozies. Thursday is the big event of the week – a fashion show and gala at Gallery 701 on Whaley Street. Local merchants and students will present new looks for spring, and Fashion Board awards will be presented. Friday will feature a stylist makeover session at the School of Music. Special Fashion Week t-shirts have been designed for members to wear during the week.

Fashion Board is open to members of any major on campus, and the fall membership drive will begin in August 2009. For additional information, contact Dr. Sallie Boggs, Fashion Board advisor, at 777-3653 or sboggs@mailbox.sc.edu.

Perry Lancaster Talks Fashion

Perry Lancaster, co-owner of Britton’s on Devine Street, has been in the fashion business for over thirty years. He is a master in understanding the intricacies of the fashion business and is eager to share his knowledge with others. Each semester, students in Dr. Sallie Boggs’ RETL 268 – Principles of Fashion Merchandising, are lucky enough to hear Perry talk about his experience in fashion retailing. He is always a favorite, bringing in lots of examples of lines and explaining the story behind each one. Perry has been a supporter of the fashion program and Department of Retailing for many years, and we greatly appreciate his time and effort in helping our students.

HRTM welcomed John Merkin, with InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG), as Guest Llecturer in Hotel Management and Lodging

The School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management welcomed John Merkin, with InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG), as a guest lecturer in hotel management and lodging on February 12.

Merkin is the senior vice president of brand management of the Holiday Inn Brands division of IHG and is overseeing the franchise’s branding makeover. His lecture, “Change is Inn,” was the message that was delivered to Holiday Inn franchise owners about branding changes they will undergo.

Professor Brumby McLeod and adjunct instructor Kiran Shah organized the lecture that not only offered a fresh perspective on the hospitality industry but also helped students by balancing their education with professional exposure. As a vice president of branding, Merkin does not work directly with guest services but still plays an important role in hospitality, which was a point that Dr. McLeod and Shah wanted to emphasize.

“It keeps a live update on what’s really going on in the industry and opens students’ eyes to it,” said Dr. McLeod of the guest lecture.

Instructor Shah, who is the local operator of a family- owned Holiday Inn, has partnered with Dr. McLeod to develop a regular lecture series for the lodging students in the School of HRTM in order to continue students’ exposure to industry professionals as well as to build more bridges between the department and the industry.

SPTE Hosts Baltimore Raven's Owner Steve Bisciotti as Guest Lecturer in the Thomas H. Regan Executive Sport Seminar

The Department of Sport and Entertainment Management hosted Steve Bisciotti, owner of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, as the guest lecturer in the Thomas H. Regan Executive Sport Seminar on February 26.

The lecture was held in Belk Auditorium and drew a large audience of SPTE students and faculty, local professionals and some of Bisciotti’s own employees.

Bisciotti’s lecture, “My Life and the NFL,” discussed his professional journey and the decisions that led to his current success. He emphasized the importance of good character, manners, work ethic and education as well as the importance of financial stability. He also encouraged students to pursue their ideas and passions, even if it means starting a business themselves.

After the speech, students asked Bisciotti questions, most of which pertained to the economy and job market. Bisciotti told students that in order to get a job, they should volunteer so that their resumes reflect strong character.

Dr. Regan, who organizes the lecture series, hopes that speakers like Bisciotti will add value to the educational experience of SPTE students by giving them insight into the professional world. In addition, he hopes that the lecture series will bring exposure to the department as well as build relationships between the College of HRSM and industry professionals.

Bisciotti’s lecture was the fourth in the Regan seminar. Previous guests include NASCAR’s Jim Hunter, Venue Management Association (Australia) John Benett, and IMG’s George Pyne.

University of South Carolina Hosts Honor Flight
Festival for WW II Vets

The Festival Planning and Management class of the University of South Carolina’s School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management is raising $50,000 in order to sponsor and send approximately 100 of South Carolina’s World War II veterans to see the national monument in Washington, DC this fall.

The class of 53 students is working on behalf of Bill Dukes, chairman of the Honor Flight South Carolina program. Bill Dukes started the program over two years ago. Since then, the program has sent one successful flight (approximately 90 veterans) to see the national monument in Washington. Two more flights are scheduled to go this spring.

Veterans don’t have to pay a thing for the trip. Honor Flight SC provides participants with an all-inclusive, memorable, one-day trip. The cost? Roughly $50,000. That’s why the students of USC have decided to help raise funds. They would like to sponsor one full flight of nearly 100 veterans on behalf of the college.

In addition to collecting monetary contributions, students are also holding an Honor Flight Festival on April 25, 2008. This festival will be held at 701 Whaley Street in Columbia. The festival will include a race/walk in the morning and live music, a silent auction, shag lessons, food and fun later in the evening. All proceeds will go directly to the Honor Flight SC program.

For complete information on supporting the Honor Flight, visit www.HonorFlightSC.com. For ticket information regarding the Honor Flight Festival, email michellemoshinskie@yahoo.com. For a registration form for the race/walk, click here.

Your Donation to Honor Flight SC:
All contributions made to Honor Flight SC are processed through the South Carolina Guard Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, and are tax deductible. Donations can be made out to and sent to the South Carolina Guard Foundation, Inc. at 551 Granby Lane, Columbia, SC 29201. Make sure to write “USCHonor Flight SC” on the memo line of your check.

Club Management alumni give great advice to students at a recent visit back to USC

Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management students had a chance to network and learn when six USC alumni returned to speak to Dr. Cathy Gustafson’s club management classes on Monday, February 12.

The alumni, all of whom were in Dr. Gustafson’s classes during their time at USC, held a panel discussion with the students. The speakers, Kelley Stefka, Patrick DeLozier, Laura O’Keef, Mark Lockridge, Alan Schultz and Rebecca Glazer, work at various golf and country clubs and were more than happy to share their stories. The alumni introduced themselves and spoke briefly about their professional careers before opening the floor for questions from the students.

Students were most interested in getting advice about the interview and job search process, and the speakers had plenty of tips. Patrick DeLozier, a 2001 graduate, talked about the importance of a good first impression and advised students to dress to impress. Laura O’Keef, who graduated in 2003, told students to set themselves apart from other candidates by bringing something extra to the table.

The alumni also spoke to students about how life would change once they enter the workforce. Alan Schultz, a 2006 graduate, told students to prepare for much more personal responsibility as they start their careers. Mark Lockridge, who graduated in 2003, discussed the importance of one’s reputation and reminded students that they are, in a sense, always being interviewed.

Kelly Stefka, who graduated in 2000, and Rebecca Glazer, who graduated in 2008, told students to make sure that they liked their working environment. Glazer discussed how different people fit with different clubs, and Stefka talked about the importance of maintaining a life outside of work.

All the alumni agreed that Dr. Gustafson’s help and guidance were critical to their professional careers, especially in terms of networking and preparing them for the tasks ahead.

Students responded well to the speakers and were able to use the discussion to look ahead and consider the possibility of working in club management in the future.

News Archives

Contact Us