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

Message from Director Bob Harrington – January 2022

The new year presents a time to reflect and facilitates thoughts on new beginnings. 2022 marks the 90th anniversary of the School of Hospitality Business Management (SHBM). As we enter this year, we will embark on a strategy to assess our future: What do we want to be at our 100th anniversary? What is the future of the hospitality industry? How can our students prepare to take advantage of and contribute to these changes? And, what resources are needed to get there? The last few years have presented many challenges, but we continue to see successes based on the quality of our students, faculty, staff, and industry support, as brought to you in this issue.

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Remembering Jerry Burtenshaw

Industry icon Jerry Burtenshaw (’56 H&RA) passed away after a long battle with cancer on Sept. 2, 2021. Along with his family, he leaves behind a massive legacy in the hospitality industry. His list of accomplishments and legacy impacts are long and include founding the Carson College of Business Burtenshaw Distinguished Lecture series and many other projects at Washington State University. He was also a member of WSU’s Hall of Fame and is the namesake of the association’s Hall of Fame recognition, the Burtenshaw Award.

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Celebrating Stacie Hamilton

Passionate. It is a word used by many to describe Stacie Hamilton (’81 Busi. Admin.) when reflecting upon her work in the wine business sector and higher education through her support of WSU Tri-Cities’ wine and business programs. Hamilton recently passed away at the age of 63, but her memory will live on in the form of her many contributions that have set the stage for wine business education in Washington state.

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Honoring Byron Marlowe, Don Smith Distinguished Professor of Hospitality Business Management

Byron Marlowe’s warm personality, infectious smile, and passion for his career as an associate professor of hospitality touched everyone who knew him. His unexpected passing December 28, 2021, left the Carson College and his many students and colleagues with overwhelming sadness but at the same time, a cache of wonderful memories that will sustain the legacy of his exemplary career.

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Aspiring Hotelier Emma Claire Spring Sweeps $50K Pitch Competition

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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Jack Costa’s Wine and Beverage Career Path Takes Flight

From his first day working at Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards, Tri-Cities student Jack Costa knew he wanted a career in wine and beverage business management. Additional industry experience and mentoring from Byron Marlowe, director of WSU’s wine and beverage business management program, ensures his program of study is a perfect fit.

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Granger Cobb Institute Appoints Shelly Fritz as First Affiliate Faculty

Shelly Fritz, associate professor of nursing at WSU Vancouver, is the first to be officially appointed to the Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living as an affiliate faculty member. Her 30-plus years in nursing and expertise with smart home health technologies supports the GCISL’s focus on solving real-life problems in senior living communities.

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Granger Cobb Institute Joins Argentum’s National Senior Living Campaign

Nancy Swanger, founding director of the Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living, along with her colleagues, were featured in “Senior Living: Communities of Care,” a video highlighting the expertise and dedication of the senior living sector. The video debuted this fall as part of Argentum’s national senior living campaign launched at the Argentum Senior Living Executive Conference and Expo in Phoenix. It highlights the expertise and dedication of the senior living sector and its commitment to providing safety, dignity, and quality of life for the residents they serve. Watch video

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Wine-focused Fulbright during COVID poses research challenges, opportunities

The COVID-19 pandemic not only put a damper on tourism in the United States, it also challenged Byron Marlowe, Don Smith Distinguished Professor and director of the WSU Tri-Cities Wine and Beverage Business Management program. Initially scheduled to go to Krems, Austria, for a Fulbright experience to study and teach courses pertaining to wine tasting room experiences, Marlowe pivoted to study in Vienna, focusing on digital marketing for wine tourism.

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