UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society (PSHRS) and Penn State School of Hospitality Management will honor nine alumni during the 2022 Alumni Awards Reception, held in conjunction with the school’s 17th annual Alumni in the Classroom event, on October 12, 2022.
This year’s award ceremony will take place in the Marriott Foundation Building, the School’s Collaboratory for Inclusion and Innovation, on the Penn State University Park campus.
"The resurgence of the hospitality and travel industry is illustrated by the Penn State School of Hospitality Management’s award-winning alumni. These accomplished executives and rising stars exemplify the success that can be sustained in the varied sectors and diverse roles that one can pursue in our dynamic industry," said Donna Quadri-Felitti, Marvin Ashner Endowed Director for the School of Hospitality Management. “Kudos to all of this year’s winners who inspire us all, their Penn State family and their colleagues and co-workers.”
PSHRS Alumni Award recipients for 2022 are:
Alumni of the Year
Ron Gorodesky, class of 1979; CEO, Refined Hospitality
Alumni Industry Achievement
Denise Buxton Bradley, class of 1983; Regional Vice President of Sales, Hyatt
Scott Wiseman, class of 1989; Senior Vice President and General Manager, Apple Leisure Group
Emerging Professionals – Graduate
Laurie (Luorong) Wu, Ph.D, class of 2014 (graduate degree); Associate Professor, School of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management, Temple University
Emerging Professionals – Undergraduate
Megan Casey, class of 2012; Director, Food and Beverage Support, North America, Oracle Hospitality
Lauren Goodrich, class of 2012; Director of Design and Development for Global Brand Operations, Marriott International
Shanttel Liberato, class of 2013; Market and Engagement Project Manager for Diversity Design, Herman Miller
Kayla Molitoris, class of 2012; Clubhouse Manager, Bent Creek Country Club
Natalie Wainger, class of 2014; Senior Manager for Finance Business Partner, Consumer Operations — Global Brands and Marketing, Marriott International
“I am humbled by my fellow alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers and communities, representing Penn State’s School of Hospitality management in high regard. As we honor these individuals by rejoicing in their achievements, we take pride in the fact that their success is our success. For our students, the engagement opportunity with our honorees brings their course material alive and cultivates lasting connections,” said Ashley Akright, president of PSHRS and Director of Operations Excellence and Innovation at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center.
For event sponsorship opportunities or to learn more about Penn State's School of Hospitality Management, please contact Pat Howley, director of industry and alumni relations, at pjh5040@psu.edu or 814-865-6728.
Learn more about selection criteria and previous award recipients at hhd.psu.edu/hhd/alumni/get-involved/alumni-awards.
About PSHRS
The Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society (PSHRS) was founded to strengthen all hospitality professions and enhance the reputation of the Hospitality Management program (HM). PSHRS is an Affiliate Program Group of the Penn State Alumni Association and the College of Health and Human Development Alumni Society.
PSHRS provides a means for achieving closer fellowship among alumni, faculty, and students. PSHRS serves those who are currently attending Penn State in HM or who are graduates of the program, as well as those who work within the HM industries and have attended Penn State or are "friends" of the program.
About the School of Hospitality Management
Established in 1937, Penn State’s School of Hospitality Management is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected schools of hospitality management. Its top-ranked undergraduate and doctoral programs prepare global leaders with a rigorous, diverse curriculum focused, since its inception, on engaged scholarship, featuring partnerships with Penn State's Hospitality Services, Housing and Food Services, and top global hospitality brands. It’s also home to the oldest Penn State alumni program group, the Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society.