Fiscal Year 2021-2022
L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Impact Report psfa.sdsu.edu
L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Message from
ACADEMIC YEAR (AY) 2021-22
Faculty Points of Pride
Generous donors have supported field trips, visits abroad, and travel to places like Washington, DC, San Francisco, Dubai, and Palm Springs. We are also planning to send students to study abroad again.
The L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management was challenged last year by Covid-19 and a slew of impacts related to the pandemic. Like all hospitality schools globally, we suffered a decline in enrollments — there simply were no jobs for our students during the peak of Covid. Teaching hospitality online was also a challenge, as our area requires face-to-face interactions in reality. Students, instructors, and staff all struggled to survive the pandemic. Thanks to some hard work and planning, we are now beginning to recover. We have been “dark” for nearly two years, and the upcoming recovery feels glorious! From bleak to exciting — here we go! Carl Winston Founding Director L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Our master’s degree programs have thrived, even during Covid19. Thanks to our partnership with Meeting Professionals International, our unique Meeting and Event Master’s has sold out three years in a row. Long-time faculty and past leader Gene Lamke finally REALLY retired after 52 continued years of teaching. Professor Larry Beck will be stepping down following a 43-year career at SDSU soon. We are making plans to hire new faculty soon.
Studies and Fine Arts
Professor Emeritus
Making an Impact | Jumpstarting Student Careers Across the Globe
Brian Blake is an unmatched hero to the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. From laying the foundation for internships, resulting in a 99% placement rate upon graduation, to serving as director of global programs, Blake has helped jumpstart student careers across the globe. His leadership as Director of the J. W. & Alice S. Marriott Student Center for Professional Development was instrumental in making the Payne School one of the most student-oriented academic units at SDSU. Blake has worked endlessly to create learning experiences for HTM majors, and with the support of the talented HTM faculty, has built an industry-recognized program for graduating outstanding hospitality, recreation, and tourism professionals. Blake collaborated with charity initiatives around the world, investing in the foundation for over 15 years, and was an academic adviser of CHEI (China Hospitality Education Initiative), where he taught 400 universities and 400,000 students.
Brian Blake
Director of Global Programs Director of The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Student Center for Professional Development
“I feel it is really important that students are allowed to attend industry-related events and experiences. This, in addition to relevant academic classes, makes for a better prepared professional. Such experiences need financing, and I hope my contributions allow for this.” - Brian Blake, regarding his support of the Lamke Family Student Experience
321 College of Professional
Gene Lamke
Fund and estate gift supporting HTM
Impact on Student Success
Positive Experiences in the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Philanthropy
I started at the Payne School at age 16 as a VERY shy child. With all the ways the Payne School pushes us to develop and mature, I have come out of my shell immensely. I got involved in classes, clubs, and as an advisor, I made lots of friends, got close with the faculty, and now feel up for anything that comes my way involving hospitality. I also think the Payne School network is amazing, as Carl Winston was able to help me get my first hospitality job in a restaurant back home in Chicago for the summer. When I mention that I'm a Payne student, people who know us instantly light up and want to talk more. I recently went out to eat and randomly connected with the general manager of a San Diego restaurant who was an alumnus of the school from 2018. I received sponsorships to go on multiple trips to attend professional conventions. These allowed me to go to educational seminars, bond with classmates, explore new cities, network with industry professionals and experience how what I learned in class actually applies to the real world. Individual Scholarship Impact
The Hospitality and Tourism Management Scholarship has helped my family with the financial burden of tuition, as I don't receive much financial aid and have to pay out-of-state tuition. I really felt supported by the school as they knew my situation and helped how they could with this scholarship. The sponsorships have also benefited me greatly, from seeing what I learn to actually seeing what happens in real life during the trips. It has fueled my passion to be more involved in the industry and motivated me to excel in my classes, get everything I can out of them, and contribute as much as I can to the school through advising or volunteering.
Virtual Event Planning Leader Charlotte Randle
Hospitality and Tourism Management: Emphasizing in meetings and events operations and minoring in marketing Recipient of Hospitality and Tourism Management Scholarship from the Payne School for the 20202021 school year and multiple trip sponsorships.
The Patti Roscoe Meeting and Events Professorship continues to support the unique Institute for Meetings and Events, which became the leading center for virtual event planning globally during Covid-19. Supporting Student Field Trips The L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management had an anonymous donor who supported significant travel and field trips for our students last year. Student Experiential Learning Gifts supporting the newly created Lamke Family Student Experience Fund will provide support for student experiential learning for the School, including student travel to industry conferences and trade shows, hospitality and recreational facilities tours, educational conferences, and other industry events.
Thank you for your generous support.
For questions regarding this report please contact DonorRelations@SDSU.edu or call (619) 594-2448.
Donor Relations University Relations and Development San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-8030 SDSU.edu