East Carolina University Announces School of Hospitality Leadership

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. July 26, 2012

Greenville, NC - July 26, 2012 - East Carolina University announces that its Department of Hospitality Management has changed its name to the School of Hospitality Leadership to better reflect the vision of the program in educating a new generation of hospitality industry leaders.

The process to change the name began in the Spring of 2011 with the approval of the ECU Educational Policy and Programs Committee. Chancellor Steve Ballard approved the change in the fall of 2011, and the UNC Board of Governors approved the “school” status and name change this spring.

“The school has grown considerably, and we see the name change as a necessary step in our growth and in positioning the program to compete globally. The formation of the school is one of the growth initiatives in progress at ECU. We see the school as a key provider of leadership talent in North Carolina and beyond,” said Dr. Bob O'Halloran, who has served as chair of the department for five years and will now serve as director of the school.

The hospitality curriculum has historically emphasized leadership. Recently, Cynthia Deale, an associate professor in the school, received a grant from BB&T to conduct research in conjunction with ECU's Joyner Library to develop cutting edge leadership modules to add to the curriculum.

G. Leroy Lail, a member of the UNC Board of Governors, said, “We are fortunate to have the new School of Hospitality Leadership at East Carolina University. This school will attract key hospitality industry people from throughout the United States and the world. As a multiple hotel owner and leader of ownership groups, I understand the importance of having this school as a part of the UNC system. The citizens of North Carolina will be proud and will derive economic benefits.”

“The change from department to school status is well deserved. It reflects the strong interest from ECU students in the rapidly growing hospitality industry and better showcases the significant international reputation of the hospitality faculty. We are proud of this new moniker,” said Judy Siguaw, dean of the College of Human Ecology, the college in which the hospitality program resides.

With approximately 450 students, the school is the largest hospitality education program in North Carolina. Students can complete a bachelor's degree in hospitality management on campus or through distance learning. Concentrations include food and beverage management, lodging management, and meeting and convention management.

Exceptional students may complete a combined BS in hospitality management and an MBA with a hospitality management option in only five years, an opportunity unique in the state and the Southeast.

For more information on the ECU School of Hospitality Leadership, visit www.ecu.edu/che/hmgt and follow the school on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/hospitalitymanagementatecu.

Contacts:

Bob O'Halloran, PhD
Professor and Director
East Carolina University
School of Hospitality Leadership
[email protected]
252-737-1603

and

Judy Siguaw
Professor and Dean
East Carolina University
College of Human Ecology
[email protected]
252-328-1098