Hotel School students and faculty recognized for 2017–2018 accomplishments
Faculty, staff, and students gathered in early May to celebrate the end of a dynamic and productive academic year at the Hotel School. This year’s ceremony was a showcase of the values and spirit that make the Hotel School such a special place. Award categories ranged from teaching excellence and scholastic achievement to entrepreneurship, hospitality, and outstanding leadership.
Student Awards
2016–2017 ACEF Writing Awards
Awards originally announced in fall 2017.
Fangru Jiang ’19
“Deutsche Bank: 2016 Money Laundering Scandal”
Class: HADM 1650, Business Writing for Hospitality Professionals
Nominated by: Maria Wolfe, senior lecturer, management communication
Linna Li ’18
“Lobbying Congress to Renegotiate NAFTA”
Class: HADM 3650, Persuasive Business Communication for Hospitality Leaders
Nominated by: Peggy Odom-Reed, lecturer, management communication
Rachelle Ng ’18
“Going Beyond the Gender Pay Gap: Addressing Gender Inequality in Amazon”
Class: HADM 3650, Persuasive Business Communication for Hospitality Leaders
Nominated by: Andrew Quagliata, lecturer, management communication
Vanessa Chu ’18
“Implementing ‘Pay What You Can’ Pricing Scheme in Restaurants”
Class: HADM 3650, Persuasive Business Communication for Hospitality Leaders
Nominated by: Peggy Odom-Reed, lecturer, management communication
Stephen S. J. Hall Ethics Case Competition
Awards originally presented in fall 2017.
1st place: Rethinking Pricing
Margaux Verbeeck, MMH ’18; Richelle King, MMH ’18; Parth Vedawalla, MBA ’19; and Matthew Ford, MBA ’19
2nd place: Fingerhut
Vishwas Badami, MMH ’18 and Nathan Ladovsky, MMH ’18
3rd place: Fingerhut Ethics Case
Arun Yagnamurthy ’19, Jason Zhang ’19, Madison Austrich ’19, Michael Baldyga ’19
The 5th annual Stephen S. J. Hall Ethics Case Competition, hosted by the School of Hotel Administration and coordinated by senior lecturer Susan Fleming, took place in fall 2017. Sixteen teams were presented with a controversial case concerning business ethics.
Degree Marshals
Alexa Perrucci ’18
Christie Choy ’18
Banner Bearers
Michael Lee ’18
Shaun Guanghui Yan ’18
College Symbol Bearer
Julie Mercado ’18
Merrill Presidential Scholars
Christie Choy ’18 and Alexa Perrucci ’18
Cornell recognizes 35 graduating seniors as Merrill Presidential Scholars who have demonstrated outstanding scholastic achievement, strong leadership, and the potential for contributing to society.
Banfi Vintners Foundation Scholastic Tour Award
Jenna Greco ’18
The Banfi Vintners Foundation Scholastic Tour Award consists of a guided educational trip through the major wine regions of Italy and ends at the Tuscan wine estate, Castello Banfi, where students participate in classes on with, food, and culture.
Bordeaux Education Prize
Matt Guarani ’18
The Bordeaux Education Prize is presented to a student with production experience in foodservice operations and an interest in full-menu, table service restaurant operations. The award includes a two-week arranged travel experience of the Bordeaux wine regions.
Leading Hotels of the World Experiential Award
Magnus Giaever ’18
The Leading Hotels of the World Experiential Award is presented to a senior who has demonstrated exceptional interest in independent hotels and is committed to practicing in this field. The award consists of a 30-day travel experience at LHW hotels around the globe.
Hospitality Business Plan Competition hosted by the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship
1st place ($25,000): YNot Bike
Will Murphy ’18 (ENG), Stephanie Forester ’19, Davis Bruch ’20, and Sam Barnum ’19 (ILR)
2nd place ($7,500): Fitz
Frank Baptista, MMH ’18; Samantha MMH ’18; Sage Patel, MMH ’18; Margaux Verbeeck, MMH ’18; and Richelle King, MMH ’18
3rd place ($5,000): Rewardzzz
Hunter Friedland ’19, Lorenzo Masias ’20, and Spencer Goldsmith ’20 (A&S)
Cornell Hotel Society Hotelie for Life Senior Award and Finalists
Winner: Kayti Stanley ’18
Finalists: Christie Choy ’18, Alex Levy ’18, and Elena Mandry ’18
The Cornell Hotel Society Hotelie for Life Senior Awards are sponsored by the Cornell Hotel Society and the Cornell Hotel Society Foundation. The awards recognize seniors who embody the high ideals of hospitality, scholarship, leadership, and service. The senior award winner receives $10,000 and the privilege of addressing the graduating class at the SHA diploma ceremony on Commencement day. Each finalist receives a $1,000 award.
Cornell Hotel Society Foundation Treadwell International Experience Prize
Caroline Shone ’18 and Hannah Yang ’18
For the last 10 years, Jay ’61 and Peggy Treadwell have provided financial assistance to Hotel School students interested in studying abroad. The new CHS Foundation Treadwell International Experience Prize, available to undergraduate or MMH recipients immediately following graduation, is another way the Treadwell’s are displaying their generosity and commitment to Hotel School students. The Treadwell Prize is meant to bring attention to the importance of international experience as a key element in the full professional and personal development of a person who has earned a degree in hospitality. Up to $25,000 will be awarded for a three-month to one-year international language and cultural immersion.
Hotel School Club Leadership Award
Rani Bernstein ’19
This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to a Hotel School club during the course of his or her time at the school. The awardee excels in positive leadership and team building skills, hospitality and service in recruiting guest speakers, and the ability to organize activities with positive outcomes.
Cornell Hotel Society — Collegiate Chapter Senior Spirit Award
Lee Lipschutz ’18
The Senior Spirit award recognizes a senior who embodies what it means to be a Hotelie. This senior has demonstrated academic success and has fostered a large network of meaningful connections with students and faculty. This senior is respected by his or her peers, is seen as a role model by underclassman, and will graduate having left a lasting positive impact on the Hotel School community.
Hotel Ezra Cornell (HEC) 93 Unsung Hero Award
Tim Qi Arch ’21
Caitlyn Cypher ’21
Patty Dennison ’18
Lucia Liu ’21
Jacob Protono ’21
Stephanie Sek ’19
Victor Tung ’21
Carol Wang ’21
Bryan Weintraub ’21
Christine Yang ’20 (HE)
The Unsung Hero Award recognizes HEC volunteers who went above and beyond. These volunteers consistently offered to help, even when their designated volunteer shift was over. Without the dedication of these individuals, HEC 93 would not have been nearly as successful as it was.
Faculty Awards
Teaching Awards
Mary MacAusland, senior lecturer — freshman core
Fang Liu, assistant professor — sophomore core
Amy Newman, senior lecturer — junior/senior core
Daniel Lebret, senior lecturer — undergraduate elective
Helen Chun, associate professor — graduate elective
Stephani Robson, senior lecturer — graduate core
The Ye Hosts Honorary Society recognizes outstanding members of the faculty for their teaching excellence and for their impact on students’ growth and development. Winners were selected based on the results from a recent student survey.
CHR Industry Relevance Award
“Environmental Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry: Best Practices, Guest Participation, and Customer Satisfaction”
- Rohit Verma, professor, dean of external relations (SC Johnson College of Business), and executive director of the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures
- Howard Chong, assistant professor, services marketing
- Alexandra Bruns-Smith ’17
- Vanessa Choy, MMH ’12
This award recognizes faculty who have researched an important topic and created a Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) report or tool that has had significant impact on the hospitality industry. The recipient of this award was selected from research published by the CHR in 2017. The winner was determined by the votes of the CHR Advisory Board members.