Kansas State University

The academic year is passing quickly. Faculty and staff members of Hospitality Management and Dietetics (HMD) have been working diligently to craft a new vision, and articulate a strategy that will create strong program identity and build a transformational educational experience for the next generation of professionals.

In January we held a Program Exchange – a roundtable event with national experts from the hospitality management and dietetics disciplines as part of the strategic planning process. We had four objectives:

1. Identify perceived reputation and strengths of the department and programs.
2. Identify professional, industry and societal trends impacting and/or shaping hospitality management and dietetics education and research.
3. Identify opportunities and areas of potential vulnerability for our programs.
4. Identify potential strategic initiatives that HMD may pursue in light of core strengths, unique aspects and opportunities on the horizon, as well as potential challenges and ways to counteract or avoid them.

Continue reading “LeHew reports on Program Exchange, new department vision” →

• McConnell to present Shugart lecture April 16
• Travel & Dining Auction set for May 1
• Canter, Barrett, Pesci retirement gala to be May 2
• Hospitality management hires new events management faculty member
• Online dietetics didactic program grows
• Update on dietetics coordinated program
• Student Dietetic Association brings in guest speakers
• Making a difference

Penny McConnell, widely recognized as a national leader in school nutrition and dietetics, will present the 41st Annual Grace M. Shugart Lecture at 1:30 p.m. April 16 on the Kansas State University campus.

She is the director of food and nutrition services for Fairfax County Public Schools, Springfield, Va. Her lecture will be “Navigating the Seas of Change.”

McConnell says that her office aims to provide students food and nutrition knowledge, skills and values they will need for healthy bodies in an ever-changing global society.

Continue reading “Penny McConnell to be 2015 Shugart lecturer” →

The 19th Travel and Dining Auction will convene at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, in the Hilton Garden Inn and Manhattan Conference Center, 410 South Third Street.

Student team leaders Maddy Irvine, Grace Callison, Taylor Myers and Brae Halling are among the dozens of students involved in planning, preparing and working the auction.

Reservations are available online.

Donations are being accepted through April 1. All donations are tax deductible and donors will receive a receipt for tax purposes. To donate, call Nancy Hansen King at 785-532-5023 or 316-258-2700.

Continue reading “Travel and Dining Auction opens doors on May 1” →

When Deb Canter, Pat Pesci and Betsy Barrett retire this year, they take 100 years of experience at K-State with them.

A retirement celebration will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2, in Hoffman Lounge, Justin Hall on the K-State campus. The event will include food, drinks and the K-State faculty jazz ensemble.

Becca Dale, who is organizing the event for the department, is looking for photo contributions for a slide show at the celebration.

Please reserve your spot at the party by April 1 by visiting the about section of the event’s Facebook page or by calling 785-532-5521 weekdays between 8 a.m. and noon or 1 to 5 p.m. Those who are unable to come are asked to leave messages on Facebook for the retirees. Continue reading “Retirement celebration to honor Canter, Barrett and Mr. P” →

Kristin Malek, who will complete her doctorate in hospitality administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, will join the hospitality management faculty this summer.

She brings expertise in convention, meeting and event management with industry experience and research in event management and consumer behavior. She said she is anxious to share her passion with the students at Kansas State University. Continue reading “HM hired new faculty with convention event management expertise” →