Around the HRM
HRM Annual Scholarship and Honors Convocation
April 17, at the annual Scholarship and Honors Convocation, HRM students and donors enjoyed a breakfast setting to get to know each other as the students were awarded scholarships for the 2009-2010 academic year. Scholarships totaled more than $77,000 this year, including the Turner Family Endowment, a new scholarship this year.
Outstanding students from each class level were also recognized for their accomplishments.
The guest speaker, Mr. Chris Williams, Business Leadership Coach, Inspirational Consulting & Coaching, LLC, spoke to the students on holding dear to their values and ethics as they move forward into the workplace.
NAU Chapter of National Society of Minorities in Hospitality Takes National Conference by Storm
Valentine’s Day proved sweet for the members of the NAU Chapter of the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality. Ten student members plus advisor, Kathleen Krahn, attended the national conference in Greensboro, North Carolina. The students earned all the funds needed to travel. Included in this, they even funded their advisor’s way to the conference as budget constraints didn’t allow the university to fund her trip.
At the conference, the chapter entered many competitions and had two officers running for positions on the National Board. NSMH is a student run organization with chapters at 60 schools nationwide and a membership of over 1300 students. NAU represented the Western Region.
Student Laura Yoccabel, HRM major, is the 2008-2009 Western Region Chair for the organization. She created, staffed and mc’d a Hospitality Olympics Event for all attendees who wanted to participate. Also in attendance was Colleen Murray, HRM, who was on the ballot for the position of Western Region Chair for 2009-2010.
The conference included seminars for students, a career fair with industry recruiters interviewing students for internships and management positions after graduation. The last night of the event was the awards gala.
NAU’s chapter won 2nd place for their chapter display. This was by an anonymous vote of the members in attendance. Also, Laura Yoccabel was elected Vice Chair for the NSMH National Board for the 2009-2010 year. Colleen Murray was elected Western Region Chair for the 2009-2010 year. This represents the first time that NAU has had 2 members on the National Board and only the second time any member from NAU was on the board.
Advisor Kathleen Krahn was again nominated by her chapter for the Founder’s Award. This is given to the Advisor of the Year for the organization. NAU is proud to say that Kathleen was this year’s recipient of the Founder’s Award. As this was the 20th Anniversary of the organization, her award was presented by the National Chair and the Founder’s of the organization who were in attendance.
Annual Bar B-Que Brings Faculty and Students Together
HRM held its annual Faculty and Student Bar B-Que on Sunday, April 4. More than 50 faculty and students attended. Hospitality Olympics were held, which consisted of Bed Making, Napkin Folding, and Carrying trays of water backwards through an obstacle course. Handmade trophies were presented to the winning teams.
Another annual event that occurs during this event is the “Kiss the…” event sponsored by the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality Club. In the past we have had professors kiss a pig, a donkey, and a duck. This year, the pickings were limited, but we located a 170lb. Great Dane, named "Socks" who was the recipient of a big kiss on the snout by Dr. Gary Vallen, who had the most money in his jar. This good-natured fundraiser earned over $100 for the club.
Hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers and the fixings were available for a great meal and was enjoyed by everyone. This event is a great opportunity for the faculty and students to interact outside of the classroom in a "good fun" atmosphere.
