The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) and its Alumni Association hosted the Sixth Annual Alumni Association Awards dinner on Friday, May 1, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency at Penn’s Landing. Guests attended a formal dinner and scholarship awards ceremony that honored STHM students and alumni for their achievements.

Dr. Barber, the STHM associate dean opened the event by welcoming everyone with an update on how well STHM as a program is thriving with the growing number of undergraduate and graduate student enrollment. “The school now has 725 students enrolled, and the school is moving into the newly renovated Speakman Hall over the summer, which will allow STHM to experience continuous growth,” explained Dr. Barber.

The awards presentation began after dessert was served and Amy Gurreri was honored with the first award, the “Outstanding Senior in Tourism and Hospitality Management Award.”

Ms. Gurreri received the “Outstanding Senior in Tourism and Hospitality Management Award” because she demonstrated excellence in scholarship, service and professional involvement. “It is truly an honor to be recognized as an outstanding senior because I have plenty of exceptional classmates who are certainly worthy of this award,” remarked Gurreri.

The “STHM Outstanding Alumni Award,” which went to Mustafa Rashed, the vice president of media and brand strategy at Bellevue Communications, recognizes alumni for his or her lifetime achievement and excellence in the sport, recreation, tourism, hospitality industries.

Later in the evening many endowed scholarships were given out to current STHM students.

Ms. Sue Shapiro, president of Shapiro Travel Resources, presented the “Joel M. and Lenore Lewis Abels Tourism Management Endowed Scholarship” to Tara Miller. “She is a student that exemplifies the professionalism and achievements that Joel and Lenore Lewis Abels displayed and supported,” said Ms. Shapiro.

The “Delores M. Andy Endowed Scholarship” was given to Kellie Harris, an STHM sophomore who has more than 1,000 hours in volunteer and community service. "Every day I do what I do in hopes that I will be helping the community and also building personal and professional relationships that last a life time,” said Harris. “While doing so, I make sure to keep in mind and embody Temple's motto, 'Perseverance Conquers'.”

The students and alumni who were honored thanked their families for supporting them throughout their education and career, but also mentioned stories about past professors such as, Gregory L. DeShields and Dean Jeffrey Montague, classes they took and how their experience at STHM contributed to their success.

Other awards and scholarships given at the Alumni Awards dinner included:

• Outstanding Senior in Sport and Recreation Management Award: Elán C. Dweck
• Outstanding Graduate Student in Sport and Recreation Administration Award: Michael A. Rodriguez
• Outstanding Graduate Student in Tourism and Hospitality Management Award: James M. O’Donnell
• School of Tourism and Hospitality Management Circle of Honor Award: Dr. Joel Frater
• School of Tourism and Hospitality Management Promising Leader Award: Jasmine J. Dottin
• David Bittman Endowed Scholarship: Joseph W. Berk (Undergraduate), Rasa E. Vella (Graduate)
• Delores W DeShields Endowed Scholarship: Justin M. Wusinich
• John Mannino Endowed Scholarship: Kirsten A. Grandshaw
• School of Tourism and Hospitality Management Senior Seminar Endowed Scholarship: Caleb S. Mezzy (Sport & Recreation Management), Jessica C. Kunesh (Tourism & Hospitality Management)