Society of Hosts History and Mission

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Purpose 

To assist and facilitate the Vision and Mission of the Dedman School of Hospitality by:

• Provide support and mentoring to current students
• Provide communication and networking to graduates 
• Facilitate career opportunities for our current students and our alumi
• Provide communication and support to our faculty

• Assist in Fundraising efforts to ensure the future improvement and long term goals of the program.

 

History

 

Society of Hosts re-activated by Joe West in 1992.  Meeting in Atlanta with:

Joe West, Chairman HAD

Chris Borders  1975     GM & COO Atlanta Athletic Club

Ken Creely      1966     Seminole Golf Course – PGM program – Adjunct

Bill Wagner     1967      Past Pres CMAA – GM & COO Riviera Country Club        

Jim Riscigno   1966      Exec VP Club Corp   

Jeff Bell          1988      VP Houston’s Restaurants

Jay Towers     1975      VP Binker International

Jim Steiner     1975      Partner Abbott Realty

Ed Staros        965       Exec VP & Founder Ritz Carlton Hotels

 

Followed by meetings with Sandy D’Alemberte President of FSU and College of Business Dean, Melvin Stith to gain their approval of the vision and mission of Society of Hosts

 

The first Alumni Reunion in 1994...

honored Ed Staros, one of the founders of The Ritz Carlton Hotels.

Others honored with the Alumni of the Year Award are:

Jim Riscigno                             1995

Jim Steiner                               1996

Ken Creely                               1997

Martha Hall-Ambrosio                1998

Gabriel Brady                           1999

Ashby Gordon Stiff                    2000

Chris Borders                           2001

Pete Hubschmidt                       2002

Jeff Bell                                    2003

Jeff O’Hara                               2004

Bill Wagner                               2005

Cyd Bougae, Ph.D.                   2006

Chuck Floyd                             2007

Anne Hamilton                          2008

           

Some of Society of Hosts Recent Projects:

University Center Club

Helping raise money and support HAD moving to University Center B

Wall of Tradition – Recognizing all graduate of DSH

Benefactors Wall – Recognizing all major contributors

Faculty Wall of Recognition

Remodel of the 4^th floor lobby area

Ashby Stiff Scholarship Fund

Annual Alumni Reunions

 

 

 

 Money raised by and through SOH Members

Most of these funds were raised for University Center Club, moving Hospitality Administration Department to UCB and establishing the new Dedman School of Hospitality. This is only a sampling.

 

$7   million     Robert & Nancy Dedman Foundation to endow the Dedman School*

$1.5 million    Mr. Robert H. Dedman, founder of ClubCorp for the building fund for UCB*

$1.5 million    State match for Mr. Dedman’s gift above*

$1.5 million    ClubCorp, Inc. for FF&E to build the club*

$70,000 per year (1.5% of Revenues Plus cash flow split) from University Center Club*

$800,000         Mrs. Deen Day Smith, Cecil B. Day Investment Co.

$200,000         Mr. Harry Spirides, President, Ocean Plaza Beach Resort

$100,000         Mr. G. Doodle Harris Partner of Jim Steiner

$  75,000         Mr. James R. Steiner, Jr., Partner, Abbott Realty Services

$  50,000         Brinker International

$  50,000         Houston’s Restaurants

$  50,000         InterState Hotel Company

$  45,000         Ashby Stiff Scholarship Fund total raised to date

$  15,000         Ruby Tuesday’s Restaurants