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The Crimson Pineapple The Official E-Newsletter of the WSU School of Hospitality Business Management

Aspiring Hotelier Emma Claire Spring Sweeps $50K Pitch Competition

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Recent alumna Emma Claire Spring always dreamed of owning a boutique hotel. In 2021, she learned about She Has a Deal, an educational real estate investment platform that creates pathways to hotel ownership and development for young women. She entered the company’s hotel pitch competition and spent several months developing a proposal for a Delta Hotel conversion located in Chantilly, Virginia. On June 5, 2021, she won the competition and $50,000 in equity. Current hospitality student Makenna Price is slated to compete in the 2022 competition.

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Alumnus Larry Culver Inducted into School of Hospitality Business Management Hall of Fame

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Larry Culver (’64 H&RA), retired hotel owner, developer, and hotel management company president, began his career in food service. He realized if he wanted to grow professionally, he had to become a hotel manager. Choosing that path opened opportunities to develop his leadership potential and apply the skills he learned at WSU. His most transformational experiences evolved from learning how to launch and fund a new business. His distinguished career, contributions to industry, and service to WSU are among the reasons he was inducted into the School of Hospitality Business Management Hall of Fame.

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Alexandria Briggs (’20) Helps Seniors Live their Best Lives

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Alumna Alexandria Briggs, a lifestyle assistant at Revel Spokane, has always been able to see beyond society’s expectations for seniors. When she heard one of Revel’s residents had achieved a bucket list goal of zip lining, Briggs threw herself into her work, getting to know each resident on a personal level and designing activities to enrich their lives.

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Communication, Loyalty, and Professionalism are Top Reasons Why Terra Blanca Hires Cougs

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With the help of several Cougs on staff, Terra Blanca is crushing it as a one of the Pacific Northwest’s top destination wineries. “The top skills and attributions we most consistently see in WSU graduates are communication, loyalty, professionalism, and ability to take ownership of their area of expertise,” say owners ReNae and Keith Pilgrim.

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Alumnus Chris Burdett Inducted into School of Hospitality Business Management Hall of Fame

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SHBM Hall of Fame recipient and hotelier Chris Burdett (’90) has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality and franchise industries. He advises hospitality students to “be prepared to think about what it takes to own, operate, build, sell, invest, and manage whatever it is in this industry that you might find interesting—from franchise sales of national hotel brands to the attorneys who specialize in contract negotiations. There are thousands of opportunities in our industry around the world. My dad told me that if I could work in a restaurant, I could go anywhere and live anywhere, and frankly, he was more than right. He sparked an interest in an industry that really can take you anywhere.”

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