Department of Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism celebrates 50 years with alumni networking reception

October 16, 2012 5:00am

CSUEB's Department of Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and will host a reception for alumni and current students from 5 to 7 pm Friday, October 19 in the New University Union Multipurpose Room.

The department started in 1960 and the first students graduated in June 1963. Dr. Bill Niepoth was the founding professor and shepherded the department through its first 13 years. Dr. Susan Sunderland took over following Niepoth's departure, and grew the department and helped the programs through many ups and downs over next 30 years.

Professor Melany Spielman, chair of the department, said “This event is designed to be a celebration of our graduates and all the amazing things they have done in their careers.” Over the past half-century, more than 2,000 graduates from the department have had a powerful impact on all the municipal recreation departments in the Bay Area.

Prior to the reception, the department will offer tours of campus at 4 p.m. Students in this quarter’s Special Event Management class are producing this event and will also be networking with all our alumni. Spielman said the department is also hoping to begin a mentoring program to connect alumni with current students.

RSVP online at surveymonkey