Dr. Ron Cichy, Director and Professor of The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University, Receives Chairman's Exemplary Service Award From the MHM&RA

Business Wire, May 1, 2003

Business Editors

EAST LANSING, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2003

The Michigan Hotel, Motel & Resort Association (MHM&RA) honored the Director and Professor of The School of Hospitality Business (The School) at Michigan State University, Ron Cichy, Ph.D., CHA, CHE, with its first Chairman's Exemplary Service Award. Cichy was recognized for his undying commitment to furthering the educational needs of the members of the MHM&RA and the industry in which they serve, as well as for his tremendous generosity and contributions to the association.

"It was a most pleasant surprise to be honored in such a way by the successors of the leaders who founded us in 1927," Cichy said. "This award is indicative of the deep, long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship that has been established between the two organizations through the years." MHM&RA Chairman Joe Murgalo, Hyatt Regency Dearborn's general manager, presented the award to Cichy in recognition of his commitment to education and the association at the MHM&RA Annual Convention in Lansing, Mich.

The MHM&RA played a significant role in the founding of The School of Hospitality Business over 75 years ago. In 1927, the members of the Michigan Hotel Association and its educational committee proposed establishing Hotel Training Course, helping to launch the hotel program in the nation's oldest land-grant institution. Today the MHM&RA continues to assist The School by generously supporting MSU students in their studies through the American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation Scholarships, as well as to offer employment to student interns and graduates. The association's continued contributions have helped establish The School as the top-ranked business-based hospitality school in the world.

Dr. Cichy has been the director and professor of The School since 1988. He earned his undergraduate and MBA degrees from the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management at MSU and his Ph.D. from MSU in food science and human nutrition. In 1999, the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association honored Cichy as the outstanding hospitality educator with the Lamp of Knowledge award. In 2001, he was inducted into The School's Alumni Association's Wall of Fame Class of Contributors. In addition, The School's Alumni Association honored Cichy as a Distinguished 75th Anniversary Year Alumnus in 2002.

Dr. Cichy is recognized as a pioneer researcher on leadership qualities, keys and secrets of hospitality leaders, both in the United States and Japan. His research has led to his identification as one of the top 50 most influential scholars in hospitality management. Cichy's insights come from decades of industry experience and working with top global service leaders. Cichy's work on four continents has developed managers and leaders, team builders and trainers, and helped businesses become high performance organizations.

Dr. Cichy serves on the Boards of Directors of the MHM&RA, the National Automatic Merchandising Foundation, the Board of Governors of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Board of Trustees of the Educational Foundation of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and the Presidents Academy Board of Regents.

About the Michigan Hotel, Motel & Resort Association

With an 85-year tradition of working to promote travel and tourism, the Michigan Hotel, Motel & Resort Association (MHM&RA) is the trade association representing the lodging industry in Michigan. The MHM&RA represents over 725 hotels, motels, resorts, and bed and breakfasts, comprising over 43,525 guest rooms. MHM&RA membership also includes categories for allied/suppliers, convention and visitor bureaus, colleges and universities, students, attractions and transportation operators, and sustaining members. Headquartered in Lansing, the MHM&RA provides a full range of association services.

About The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University

Founded in 1927, The School is celebrating its 76th year anniversary in 2003. The School has more than 8,500 graduates worldwide, including a number of leading academicians and industry executives. The mission of The School is to be the leader in hospitality business education through teaching, research and service. Recognized as the top-ranked business-based hospitality school in the world, The School offers an exceptionally well-crafted curriculum taught by innovative professors who are leading textbook authors, sought-after consultants and respected researchers. For more information, please visit www.bus.msu.edu/shb.