In the news

• UofSC hospitality and tourism program leads SEC, top 10 in U.S.: ColaDaily (feat. Robin DiPietro and David Cardenas)
• College sports programs seek a return to financial glory: Columbia Metropolitan Magazine (feat. Tom Regan)
• Hannah Kay Named Sports Development Manager at Experience Columbia: SportsTravel (feat. alumna Hannah Kay)
• Apple authorized campus store opens at UofSC: WLTX (feat. Mike Watson, several other outlets also featured the Gamecock iHub opening)
• Gamecocks legend Connor Shaw takes on cornhole challengers: ColaDaily (feat. Gamecock iHub, also featured on ABC Columbia and WACH)
• Myrtle Beach businesses know people are tired of masks, but COVID is raging – again: The Sun News (feat. Robin DiPietro)
• Headaches for Columbia restaurant owners as prices spike for ingredients, supplies: Post & Courier (feat. George Hendry)
• McCutchen House opens to the public for first time since 2019: Columbia Regional Business Report (feat. Chris Knezevich and students Charity Walters and Ashlyn Ooi).

Faculty, staff and student notes

• Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion Sporty Jeralds and UofSC Athletics Director Ray Tanner discussed team building, leadership and diversity in a chat featured onYouTube.
• Ph.D. student Hyunsu Kim’s article, “Millennials’ virtual reality experiences pre- and post-COVID-19,” was published in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Brian Mihalik served as one of Kim’s advisors.
• John Grady was featured on OlympicAnalysis.org, sharing his expertise on Rule 40 at the Tokyo Olympics.
• Columbia City Center Partnership CEO Matt Kennell and Experience Columbia VP of Marketing & Communications Kelly Barbrey joined Rich Harrill’s classes to offer their insights on destination marketing. Kennell and CCP Director of Operations Allen Franklin took students on an experiential learning tour of the Main St. district.
• Mike Watson will be leading  two breakout sessions on ethical leadership at the annual "Lead Your City" leadership summit in Greensboro, North Carolina, hosted by synerG Young Professionals.
• Students worked at ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast, the Duke’s Mayo Classic, featuring Georgia vs. Clemson, and the NASCAR Southern 500 at Darlington over Labor Day Weekend, in opportunities arranged by Department of Sport and Entertainment Management Internship Director Steve Taylor. 
• Zeb Noland, a master’s student in sport and entertainment management, made national headlines after being promoted from graduate coaching assistant to starting quarterback for the Gamecocks football team and leading the way to a season-opening win.
• Retailing student Kat Kotecha will graduate in May with a job in New York City waiting. Kotecha was hired by Macy’s as an assistant buyer.

Alumni news

Job Changes/Promotions:

2021

• Samantha Silber (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as the account coordinator of Bespoke Sports & Entertainment.

2020

• Eliza Dozier (Retailing - Retail Management) started a new position as telephone mortgage banker at First Citizens Bank.
• Julia McAleer (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as member services representative with the Los Angeles Rams.
• Rui Wang (B.S. Tourism Management) started a new position as the international partnership manager of Sunrise International.

2019

• Nicole Ponisi (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) started a new position as account executive with CeCe at Bernard Chaus, Inc.

2018

• Tommy Crabtree (B.S. Tourism Management) started a new position with Snappy as the employee happiness manager.
• Lia Marino (B.S. Hospitality Management) started a position with Fontainebleau Miami Beach as VIP services supervisor.

2017

• Emma Crutchfield (B.S. Retailing - Retail Management) started a new position as senior event coordinator with Deloitte.
• Alison Lindsey (B.S. Hospitality Management) started a new position as assistant front office manager at Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport.

2016

• Jessie Browne (B.S. Hospitality Management) started a new position as sponsorship and exhibits fulfillment manager with NAFCU (National Association of Federally Insured Credit Unions).
• Melissa Clubb (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) started a position with Consumer Technology Association as senior coordinator, event content.
• Drez Williams (B.S. Retailing - Retail Management) started a new position with Louis Vuitton as a client advisor.

2015

• Brittany Montana (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) started a new position as senior account associate with Levi Strauss & Co.

2014

• Alysa DeLuca (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) started a new position as online merchant - power tools with Lowe's Companies, Inc.

2011

• Nikki O’Brien (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) started a position with VStar Entertainment Group as marketing director.
• Alison Kuntz Santopolo (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) started a position with Convene as a hospitality and event planning professional.

2010

• Justin Glessner (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) started a position with the Augusta Symphony as operations manager.

2004

• Molly Sundermann (B.S. Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management) started a new position with Tri-Brand Marriott Nashville AC Hotel | Residence Inn | Springhill Suites as complex director of sales.

1996

• Robert Parker (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position with Columbus Crew, Haslam Sports Group as chief revenue officer.

1991

• Andre Bauer (B.S. Business Administration, Management and Retail) started a new position as commissioner of the South Carolina Education Lottery.