Foodservice leaders among recipients of honorary J&W degrees

Nation's Restaurant News, June 25, 2007 by Stephen Shuck

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Alan Gould, publisher Nation's Restaurant News, was one of 13 recipients of honorary doctorate degrees awarded by Johnson & Wales University at its four campuses last month.

Gould received his honorary doctorate in culinary arts during the Providence campus' undergraduate ceremony. During the event, university president John J. Bowen cited Gould's mastery of culinary arts and publishing, and he attributed Gould's success and the respect of his industry peers to his steady drive and determination.

Gould then shared with the graduating students his "10 Helpful Hints" for entering the workforce. He urged them to maintain common sense, curiosity, integrity, a sense of humor and involvement with one's community, industry and alma mater. Gould concluded by telling the graduates they should remain aware of world events by reading the newspaper each day.

Stephen J. Caldeira, co-founder, president and chief executive of The Elliot Leadership Institute, based in Tarrytown, N.Y., also was among the honorees. He received an honorary doctorate in business administration in foodservice management and spoke at the commencement ceremony of the Providence campus's graduate school.

Other foodservice veterans honored by the university included James Carmen Cefalo, a former professional football player and owner of Cefalo's Wine Cellar in Miami; John Kinsella, president of the American Culinary Federation in St. Augustine, Fla.; and Wylie Dufresne, owner and executive chef of wd-50 in New York.

Johnson & Wales has more than 16,000 students at its campuses in Providence; North Miami; Denver; and Charlotte, N.C.