West Paces Group Taps Two New Graduates for Leadership Program

Program at The Hotel at Auburn University

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. November 18, 2008

NOVEMBER 18, 2008. Shannon Hodge and Laura Stirling are the latest graduates to be selected for inclusion to The West Paces Hotel Group's esteemed Leadership Development Program (LDP). Hodge and Stirling enter the program at The Hotel at Auburn University as the new operations managers of Ariccia Trattoria & Bar, where they will oversee all aspects of restaurant management including staffing, training, daily operations, and financial responsibilities.

"We are very proud to welcome Shannon and Laura to the Leadership Development Program," said Hans van der Reijden, Managing Director of The Hotel at Auburn University. "Shannon has been working with the hotel since 2004 and has progressed through the ranks to become a member of the LDP program. Laura is joining us from Pennsylvania State University, and her past experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry will make her a great addition to our team."

Hodge graduated from Auburn University in 2008 and was accepted into the LDP in July after working with The Hotel at Auburn University since 2004. Starting as a Banquet Server, Hodge excelled at training new employees and was promoted to Banquet Trainer in 2005. During this time she assisted with rewriting the banquet training process manual. In March of 2007, Hodge was promoted to Banquet Captain, where she oversaw the day-to-day operations of all banquets.

Stirling majored in Hotel Restaurant and Institutional Management at Pennsylvania State University and graduated in 2008. Upon graduation, Stirling applied to and was accepted into the LDP in August. She is the first non-Auburn University graduate to be admitted into this hands-on training program. Her prior experiences with the Hotel Restaurant Society and employment at various restaurants have prepared her to excel in the competitive curriculum.

While at Ariccia, Hodge and Stirling will focus on learning the key aspects of hotel operations, including Food and Beverage, Rooms and Support Departments. After finishing the program at Ariccia, both women will have the opportunity to work at other West Paces Hotel Group properties in the United States, Mexico and Europe for a well-rounded education.

This unique opportunity for Auburn students was initiated by Dr. June Henton, dean of the College of Human Sciences and Horst Schulze, president and CEO of The West Paces Hotel Group. The two industry leaders recognized that a dynamic new academic model, driven by the industry's top quality standards and practices was in order to keep Auburn's successful academic program up-to-speed with the hospitality industry.

The partnership between Auburn University and The West Paces Hotel Group was formed in 2003 and continues to distinguish the Hotel and Restaurant Management program from similar endeavors at other universities. Its sole mission is to create a world-class curriculum, combining a comprehensive academic program with a practicum experience where students learn in a "real world" setting at The Hotel at Auburn University.