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fall 2016 Co munity Co nectio s Greetings from the Payne School! hat does “com- and guided by a team of ex- Diego County and actively partnering with munity engage- ceptional, trailblazing faculty local trade associations such as the San ment” mean? and staff.Passion is present Diego Hotel Motel Association, California Those of us in- in all things, and is the com- Restaurant Association—San Diego Chapter, volvedW in creating the annual mon denominator that ener- and Meeting Professionals International— Payne School newsletter strug- gizes our reach. San Diego Chapter. Faculty and alumni hold- gled slightly with narrowing a Of course, we could not do ing prestigious national positions, such as Dr. definition as it applies to our any of this without our com- Katherine Spilde, newly appointed to the Na- programs and constituency. munity partners. Dean Joyce tional Center for Responsible Gaming Board Seeking guidance, I looked it up, Gattas and our Advisory of Directors. Alumni such as Sean Brody ’09, and surprisingly, Wikipedia of- Carl Winston, Director, L. Robert Board Chair Patti Roscoe rec- ‘12 creating 20+ jobs and sustainable liveli- Payne School of Hospitality & fered a pretty good option: Tourism Management ognized this vital connection hoods in Liberia through Kwepunha Retreat; “Community engagement re- some 18 years ago when they the large number of Payne School students fers to the process by which com- partnered with Bob Payne (our annually studying abroad; and our growing munity benefit organizations and individuals featured donor this issue, page 4) and SDSU success with The Marriott China Hospital- build ongoing, permanent relationships for President Stephen Weber to launch a vi- ity Education Initiative (CHEI). Our school the purpose of applying a collective vision for sionary public/private partnership. Today, makes things happen, and I invite you to cel- the benefit of a community.” under the leadership of SDSU President El- ebrate with me in the pages ahead. This is precisely how the Payne School liot Hirshman and Provost Chukuka Enwe- As always, your input is important to us, connects to the world around us. Our mis- meka, we have a strategic plan that focuses as is your participation. Whether that is sion remains to be the most personalized on student success (last year’s newsletter serving on a committee, being a guest lec- school of its kind. To this end, we proudly theme), community engagement (this year’s turer, supporting student programs, or con- and consistently produce highly motivated, newsletter focus), and research & creative tributing much needed scholarship funds, qualified, and energetic problem solvers endeavors (easy to guess what we will ap- please feel free to contact me about any of through every program of the school. Stu- proach in next year’s issue). these activities, or to share your thoughts. dents then become alumni who are recog- We are proud of our commitment to our Thank you for being a valuable member nized leaders. These remarkable individuals, local, national, and global communities. of our community. • as both students and alumni, are educated Mentoring high school students across San —Carl Winston, Director, L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Sean Brody in Liberia. Dr. Katherine Spilde and TGSA students with NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens. Members of the Marriott CHEI Regional Forum. 2 l. robert payne school of hospitality & tourism management | fall 2016 Studying Abroad and Exporting Expertise hat an excit- strong backgrounds. It also paid internships are also available through ing time for the serves as an invaluable net- other hotel brands such as Hyatt, Starwood, Payne School! working opportunity that and Omni. Conversation yields results indefinitely. In collaboration with The J. Willard and atW The J. Willard and Alice S. Development of self- Alice S. Marriott Foundation, we have cre- Marriott Foundation Student awareness. At times we im- ated community outreach to China through Center for Professional Devel- pose limitations on ourselves our China Hospitality Education Initiative opment about our community that hinder our progress to- (CHEI) [see page 25 for more information]. engagement is frequent as it ward our goals. By stepping CHEI’s purpose is to enhance hospitality ed- stewards our efforts locally, na- outside the familiar and en- ucation, leading to rewarding careers for the tionally, and globally. Not only Brian Blake, Director, The J. countering different people next generation of China’s hospitality and Willard and Alice S. Marriott are we passionate about pro- Foundation Student Center for and places, students gain an tourism leaders. We have seen outstanding viding international experiences Professional Development enhanced understanding of results from industry and education combin- for our students but we are also themselves through the world ing expertise and resources to meet a critical focused on exporting our exper- around them. need on a global level, so much so that we tise to the international hospitality, recre- Understanding of another culture. Liv- are pursuing collaboration with a Japanese ation, and tourism learner. ing and learning in an unfamiliar environ- university (Meiji Gakuin University) to pro- The past year has yielded the largest num- ment adds to an understanding of world vide online curricular offerings. The country ber of Payne School students to date study- cultures, which in turn enhances growth is just starting to offer education in hospi- ing abroad. Over 85 students have taken on personally, as a member of a team, and as tality to its people, a critical time to do so as a mixture of two to six week sessions, full a leader. they prepare for hosting the 2020 Summer semester/summer studies, or full year im- The opportunity to study internationally Olympics in Tokyo. mersion for its immeasurable value in 22 dif- keeps what is learned in the classroom rel- The opportunities the Payne School pro- ferent countries ranging from Australia to evant on a level that challenges and excels. vides students beyond the four walls of the Ecuador, Spain to Thailand. Associate Direc- With a renewed sense of the world, students classroom are something that gives us a tor Christina Jeffries and I explain that study expand their possibilities because they know competitive edge. We are proud to play a abroad provides the following: that if they can think it, they can achieve it. role in educating and fostering future inter- Education enhancement. An experience The Payne School also provides students national industry leaders. • to study internationally adds a new perspec- from other countries with unique academic tive to a student’s academics. They will see and career opportunities throughout the things from another point of view, which United States as well as an exported educa- assists in developing analytical and critical tional service. Since 2008, the Payne School thinking skills. and the Walt Disney Company have worked —Brian Blake, Director, Resume building. Study in another coun- together to provide international students The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott try adds a new dimension to one’s career with the opportunity to receive a certificate Foundation Student Center for planning. In an age of global economies and in hospitality and tourism management and Professional Development technology, experience abroad distinguishes work as a paid intern at Disneyland. Similar Adventures abroad! CHEI students in the culinary classroom. fall 2016 | l. robert payne school of hospitality & tourism management 3 donor feature: l. robert payne Contribution that Impacts an Industry ntering the halls he became a management For SDSU, Mr. Payne is a beloved volun- of the L. Robert Payne trainee with Jack in the Box, teer leader. He is an SDSU Distinguished School of Hospitality excelling to Vice President Alumni, Alumnus of the Year, and has re- and Tourism Manage- of Operations and earning a ceived an honorary doctorate from the uni- Ement, one is struck by the red seat on the Board of Direc- versity. He contributed a lead gift to name wall adorned with the inspiring tors. He developed Conti- the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center and story of the school’s namesake nental Restaurant Systems, was integral in the founding of the Entrepre- and his advice for its students. a chain of dinner house res- neurial Management Center, The Campa- There is a feeling of excitement taurants, which he later sold nile Foundation, and the Director’s Cabinet for what their future holds while to Ralston Purina. He has for Athletics. Most notably, it is Mr. Payne’s Bob Payne offering a feeling of home. owned and operated hotels. contribution to and support of the School “Don’t try to figure out what He was a founder and Chair- of Hospitality and Tourism Management for you’re going to do the rest of your life. When- man of the Board of Grossmont Bank. Today, which he is recognized, the first school in ever I say that to a roomful of students, I he is the president and CEO of Multi-Ven- SDSU history to be named after an alumnus. can almost see the sigh of relief. I’ve been tures, Inc., a real estate investment and man- “I chatted with (former) SDSU President thanked for that statement more than any agement company. Steve Weber about where the program was other I’ve made,” declares Bob Payne. With a Mr. Payne’s professional legacy is some- headed. There is significant wisdom in hav- school that boasts a 99% job placement rate thing to be revered; equally as admirable ing a hospitality and tourism management for its graduates, Mr. Payne, through his fi- is his unwavering commitment to volun- school, and I recognized the impact it would nancial generosity, has provided access to teerism and philanthropy. He has dedicated have developing leaders of the industry.