Marriott Leaders Visit Michigan State University

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. February 20, 2014

East Lansing, Michigan - February 20, 2014 - It was “Marriott Week” in The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State during the first week of February 2014, when two of the company's top executives visited campus to speak in classes and meet with students and faculty.

Dave Grissen, who last Fall was honored as The School's Alumni Association Industry Leader of the Year, is group president for Marriott International, Inc. and graduated from MSU in 1979. Jim Kauffman, who graduated from MSU in 1975, is president, U.S. and Canada Full Service Hotels, The Americas for Marriott International, Inc. Dave spoke to students in HB 482 - Advanced Hospitality Finance and in HB 489 - Hospitality Business Strategy on Wednesday, February 5. Later that day, Dave and Jim delivered an informal presentation in HB 401 - Hospitality Business Professional Development II.

A select group of students - “passionate hoteliers” - were privileged to participate in a roundtable luncheon with Dave, organized by the student Hospitality Association Director of Communications Jeff Keller (BA '15). Jeff says, “I was impressed with Mr. Grissen's work ethic. A finance major, he says he was interested in expanding his knowledge about the hospitality industry, accepting every challenge put before him, and consistently working hard.”

Dave and Jim later enjoyed a special visit to the MSU men's basketball practice and a conversation with Coach Tom Izzo before Dave left campus to resume his duties for Marriott. But Jim remained on campus through Thursday to speak in HB 486 - Advanced Hospitality Marketing.

They spoke to the students about Marriott's values and brands, international growth, long-term strategy and its execution, and unique business model. They discussed Marriott's competitive advantages and the ways students can prepare for and succeed in a career with Marriott. Dr. Jeff Beck said the speakers were frank about “repositioning the Marriott brand.” And, he said, “They were very approachable and down to earth with our students.”

“Dave and Jim lead a multinational corporation,” says Dr. Ron Cichy, director of The School. “They have a great deal of responsibility and demands on their time. It says a lot about their dedication to their alma mater and to the students in our School that they would fly to East Lansing to share their expertise in several of our classes.”

Before Jim left East Lansing on Thursday, retired Vice President of Owner and Franchise Services for Marriot Richard Farrar (BA '73) joined him on campus, speaking to Dr. Beck's HB 491 - Advanced Hospitality Revenue Management, and stayed on to attend the basketball game on Thursday against Penn State and speak in Friday's HB 100 - Introduction to Hospitality Business. He also met with students he works with through the Spartan Sponsors Mentor Program. He even stayed in town long enough to help out with The School's annual Destination Auction on Saturday night.

Richard energized the students in HB 100 with a discussion of hospitality industry trends and the wide array of career possibilities. “Richard was very engaging with the students,” says Dr. Jeff Elsworth of HB 100. “He noted how the internet has affected hotel sales, especially for franchisees tied to Marriott brands, and the students asked very good questions.” Richard also challenged majors in finance, economics, and accounting to take a look at the hospitality industry.

Richard's enthusiasm for The School's efforts are no secret either. In fact, just before Saturday's Auction began, he could be found passing out flyers to the fans driving into the parking ramp for the 4 p.m. hockey game against Ohio State at Munn Arena, urging them to come to Kellogg Center after the game for great deals and great causes at Destination Auction.

Authella Collins Hawks, director of the Student and Industry Resource Center, The School's office for internships and placement services, says that it is “amazing to be able to expose our students to top-level executives in classroom settings. This is what makes our School unique: blending education and real-world experiences.” She would know; she is the HB 401 instructor.

In addition to the classroom presentations, the Marriott International Voyager recruitment team was on campus, led by Alan Tuttle, manager, University Relations & Talent Acquisition - The Americas. They were interviewing prospective interns and graduates for career placement.

Marriott Week - what a week on campus.

We Are The School™

“We” represents the tens of thousands of relationships among students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners. “The” reflects our 88-year foundation of preparing the hospitality industry's managers and operators. Today The School also emphasizes real estate and thinking like the owner throughout the curriculum, for all our students.

About The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University

Michigan State University: Creating Knowledge and Transforming Lives
Recognized as the top-ranked hospitality business school, The School has a unique, industry-specific position within Michigan State University's Broad College of Business. Celebrating its 88th anniversary year in 2014, The School has almost 10,000 graduates worldwide, including a number of leading academicians and industry executives who have earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Founded in 1927, The School offers an exceptionally well-crafted curriculum, taught by innovative professors who are leading textbook authors, sought-after consultants, and respected researchers. The mission of The School is to inspire continuous learning by empowering present and future managers to acquire knowledge, skills, and global Hospitality Business leadership positions to create knowledge by engaging in collaborative theoretical and applied research for the benefit of undergraduate and graduate students, Hospitality Businesses, and the community of hospitality management scholars to engage our Hospitality Business partners through outreach and service, and to enhance global Hospitality Business economic, community, and academic development and to continuously improve The School's global leadership position in Hospitality Business operations, management, real estate development, and ownership.

For more information, please visit us online at: www.hospitalitybusiness