Students to benefit from mentorship and expertise of seasoned entrepreneurs

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Washington State University Tri-Cities has launched a new Entrepreneurs in Residence program to provide students with direct connections to successful entrepreneurs for mentorship so that students may scale ideas from concepts into reality.

Through the program, students will have the option to meet with entrepreneurs to receive free advice, coaching, as well as networking connections to industry for potential partnerships.

The idea for the program came about as a result of conversations between 黑料社 Tri-Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes and regional entrepreneurs Paul Carlisle and Christina Lomasney.

鈥淲e see an opportunity to build a pipeline of future entrepreneurs starting on the 黑料社 Tri-Cities campus,鈥� Lomasney said. 鈥淭he pieces are already here: a thriving Tri-Cities economy, a local national laboratory presence, growing venture capital resources and access to a strong academic foundation. We believe 黑料社 Tri-Cities can play an instrumental role in bringing these pieces together to create opportunity for our Cougs, to breed entrepreneurs and to help them take advantage of our unique local resources.鈥�

Carlisle will lead the program at 黑料社 Tri-Cities. He is a graduate of the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Carson College of Business where he developed the business plan for his highly-successful and locally-based technology business, elevate, which provides technology solutions for businesses and organizations across the Pacific Northwest. Carlisle recently announced the sale of his business this month and said he is excited to be a part of the Entrepreneurs in Residence program to give back to students after a career in the tech sector. In addition to his business roles, he serves as an adjunct faculty member with the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Carson College of Business, as well as the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Carson College of Business advisory council. He also received the Sam Volpentest Entrepreneurial Leadership Award in 2016, which recognizes community leaders who provide support to entrepreneurs in the region.

鈥淥ver the past 11 years, I have taught entrepreneurial courses around management, marketing and strategy,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e look to build on the decade of successful coursework in those areas to create wider-reaching pathways that engage students where they are. For example, a young undergraduate, a graduate engineering student and a seasoned business professional would all have a place at the table to access what they need to succeed on their unique journeys.鈥�

Lomasney is volunteering her time as an entrepreneur in residence for the program. She co-founded and served as the company鈥檚 president and CEO until 2020. The company partnered with leading Fortune 500 companies to commercialize revolutionary classes of nanostructured metals. Prior to Modumetal, she co-founded Isotron while in graduate school. Through Isotron, she realized a portfolio of advanced materials for environmental remediation and nuclear, biological and chemical defense. Lomasney now serves as an advisor to technology companies in energy, transportation, defense, manufacturing and advanced materials sectors, is a registered patent agent and volunteers as a board director on Washington state鈥檚 main initiative to secure critical material supply chains 鈥� . She was named by Fortune as one of the 鈥�.鈥�

Lomasney said the 黑料社 Tri-Cities program will open an unlimited horizon for business, science and technology students to go beyond learning and to build for a better future.

鈥淚 look forward to sharing time enabling students to become better versions of themselves – in tune with the problems of our time and engaged in finding solutions for the future,鈥� she said.

Both Carlisle and Lomasney will spend regular time at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, where in addition to working with business and other classes on campus, they will also meet individually with students and help student groups realize their dreams for projects and concepts.

For more information about the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Entrepreneurs in Residence program, including how to get involved, visit .

 

Media contacts:

• Paul Carlisle, founder of elevate and adjunct faculty with the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Carson College of Business, paul@elevate.net
• Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities director of marketing and communication, 509-372-7333 (office), 619-403-3617 (cell), maegan_murray@wsu.edu

Washington State University鈥檚 School of Hospitality Business Management was ranked No.聽2 in the nation by a global ranking organization.

The school was also ranked seventh in the world by the聽聽in hospitality and tourism management.

The 2021聽ranking, reported by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy, focuses on the strength of academic research in the fields of tourism and hospitality management, including international influence and recognition.

Last year, the school was ranked as No.聽4 in the United聽States and 11^th聽in the world.

鈥淭he School of Hospitality Business Management鈥檚 advancement to higher rankings during COVID鈥�19 speaks to the quality of our faculty, doctoral students, international reach and the ability to continue research and teaching productivity despite limitations posed by the global pandemic,鈥� said聽, the school鈥檚 director and Ivar聽B. Haglund Chair in Hospitality Business Management.

The hospitality program, which started in 1932, is part of 黑料社 Carson College of Business.

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� 聽No one went to Oktoberfest in 2020, but chances are those who attended in the past are still thinking about it.

In a case study of the famous German beer festival, researchers tested the theory that events which create memorable experiences can increase life-satisfaction. This deep connection with customers has big benefits for associated businesses, according to Robert Harrington, lead author of the study recently published online in the聽.

鈥淚f you can do something that transforms people even a little bit, it can have a huge impact on the success of your company and your brand,鈥� said Harrington, professor and director of the School of Hospitality Management at Washington State University Carson College of Business. 鈥淭he more customers are delighted, the more likely they are to be return customers. They are also more likely to give positive recommendations to friends and relatives, and particularly on social media. In today鈥檚 environment, people trust those reviews more than paid advertising.鈥�

For the study, the researchers surveyed more than 820 people attending a festival beer tent over several days of the 2018 Oktoberfest. The majority of the respondents were male (56.8%) and largely German, though roughly 12% were from outside the country, including from Italy and the United States. The respondents answered questions related to food and beverage quality, connectedness, experience uniqueness, memorability and life satisfaction.

When the researchers analyzed the relationship among those answers, they found that connectedness to Oktoberfest, such as feeling a close association with a particular beer tent or to Oktoberfest traditions, influenced impressions of food and beverage quality and the uniqueness of the experience. These in turn influenced how highly the participants felt that attending the event increased their overall satisfaction with life.

The researchers purposely chose to study the annual beer festival in Munich because it is so well-known and brings together a mix of tourism and hospitality services.

鈥淥ktoberfest has a very strong brand. It鈥檚 almost like a bucket-list event,鈥� said Harrington. 鈥淎s a significant event in visitors鈥� lives, there鈥檚 a greater likelihood that there鈥檚 a quantifiable measure of life satisfaction or sense of well-being from those experiences, as opposed to people going out to a neighborhood bar or restaurant.鈥�

Emulating Oktoberfest, which attracts more than 7 million visitors a year, may be a tall order, but the researchers suggest that other businesses can learn from its success. Breweries or wineries can create regional or local events on a smaller scale. Like Oktoberfest, these events could bundle goods and services, such as a tasting that pairs beer or wine with food or adding an experience like a music performance or art show.

The idea is to invite customers to participate in creating a memorable experience that lasts, Harrington said.

鈥淥nce people go back home, they will want to bring up that memory again,鈥� said Harrington. 鈥淭hey will go buy that beer because they went to a festival where they had a great time.鈥�

This study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences and the Munich University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

 

Media contacts:

• Robert Harrington, School of Hospitality Management, 黑料社 Tri-Cities, 509-372-7487,聽rharrington@wsu.edu
• Sara Zaske, 黑料社 News and Media Relations, 509-335-4846,聽sara.zaske@wsu.edu

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Washington State University Tri-Cities student Benjamin Bush wanted the hardest career challenge he could find after graduating from high school at the age of 18.

Growing up in Walla Walla, he wanted to get out and see the world, but also find something that would push him to his limits. The U.S. Marine Corps offered just that.

鈥淚 wanted to do something that was hard and not standard,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 like a challenge.鈥�

In the Marines, Bush served in fire direction control for artillery, among several other responsibilities, throughout his time in the service. He deployed with the 22 Marines expeditionary unit to Israel, Spain, Bahrain and Oman. His unit also supported operations in Libya while the U.S. Armed Forces were combatting ISIS.

Toward the end of his service, Bush had worked his way up to the rank of sergeant, where he was in charge of his battalion’s body composition program. But he was ready to chart a new path, he said, because he missed his family.

鈥淥verall, it was a cool experience, but artillery was always in the field or gearing up for deployment,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is fun while you鈥檙e in, but after a few years of it, you miss sleeping somewhere warm and dry. I missed the soft, comfy bed and a roof over my head. But most of all, it was hard being away from my family. I was married for most of the time and being away from my wife two weeks per month was tough.鈥�

A university education, Bush hoped, would help him find his next step post military.

Charting a new path through 黑料社 Tri-Cities

In making his decision of where to attend college, Bush wanted to stay local.

He began his college career at Walla Walla Community College, where he served in the schools鈥� veterans center. He helped foster relationships with fellow veterans and connect them with resources. In 2018, he transferred to 黑料社 Tri-Cities to earn a degree in business.

Bush said he chose business as his degree as it provided a great amount of versatility and suited his career trajectory goals. He hopes to one-day work his way up into the position of CEO of a company that gives back.

The military, he said, was great training for whatever lies ahead. And with his education, he can build his skills in the finance world, while continuing to refine his leadership aptitude, he said.

鈥淚 would love to work for a company that betters the ocean or a nonprofit that makes big impacts on our environment,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f there is a place where I can use my skills to improve the environment and our world, that would be my dream.鈥�

Still serving, post-service

While going to school full-time and in addition to serving as the finance manager for the Associated Students of 黑料社 Tri-Cities, the campus鈥� student government, Bush also serves as the veteran navigator with the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Veterans Center. Through that position, he helps connect veteran students with resources and opportunities through the Veterans Affairs office, all while offering up his support as a friend and confidant.

鈥淚t鈥檚 where I feel a lot of fulfillment in my life,鈥� he said.

Coinciding with his position as veteran navigator, Bush also serves as president of the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Patriots鈥� Club. The veterans-focused club organizes events and activities for veteran students. The club has hosted fishing trips, camping trips and more that have encouraged veteran students to bond.

鈥淎 lot of veterans tend to be pretty tight, emotionally, and hold everything down,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 found that, especially for myself, the best thing to do is talk about it. Get it off your chest and talk to someone who has been there. That is very valuable.鈥�

Supporting one another 鈥� even in times of COVID-19

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Bush said many veteran students have struggled with being siloed and connecting digitally, as well as supporting themselves financially. As such, he and his fellow Veterans Center and Patriots鈥� Club members have worked to create opportunities to help engage students and provide additional resources that have allowed veteran students to stay in school.

鈥淢y favorite experience here at 黑料社 Tri-Cities has been working with the Veterans Center,鈥� Bush said. 鈥淚t has continued to grow and become a better place for veterans to gather and get the support that we so desperately need. It is a place to hold these types of support opportunities and come together as brothers and sisters. I am super grateful to our community and I鈥檓 happy to be a part of it.鈥�

By Becky Kramer, Carson College of Business

RICHLAND, Wash. – COVID-19 turned the team project in 聽Marketing Management 495 class on its head.

The assignment required students to develop strategies for bringing tourists in their 20s and 30s to the Tri-Cities in Central Washington. But as the project got underway, the state鈥檚 鈥渟tay home, stay safe鈥� orders took effect.

鈥淟ast semester, we had a very devastating external factor, and that was the COVID-19 pandemic,鈥� said Giese, clinical associate professor of marketing at 黑料社 Tri-Cities. 鈥淭he impact on the tourism industry has been astronomical.鈥�

Responding to the crisis became a learning opportunity, Giese says. Her class rose to the challenge, crafting plans to draw millennials to the Richland-Kennewick-Pasco area as Washington鈥檚 economy reopens.

Visit Tri-Cities, the area鈥檚 visitor and convention bureau, will incorporate the students鈥� ideas in its future planning, says Michael Novakovich, the president and chief executive officer.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all seasoned marketers here, and we think the students did some really outstanding work,鈥� said Novakovich (鈥�10 Bus. Admin., 鈥�16 MBA). 鈥淭hey identified some things we are already working on, validating our efforts. And they had unique ideas as well.鈥�

Tourism is a $500 million industry in the Tri-Cities, employing more than 6,300 people. The area is home to wineries, golf courses, live music venues, art galleries, and tours of the Manhattan Project B Reactor and the decommissioned USS Triton submarine.

With 269,500 residents, the Tri-Cities has a competitive advantage for attracting tourists as Washington鈥檚 phased reopening continues, according to Novakovich. 鈥淲e offer urban experiences without the high-population densities people want to avoid at this time,鈥� he said.

Drawing on the Tri-Cities attributes

Students suggested ways for Visit Tri-Cities to increase the area鈥檚 allure for millennial travelers. Among their recommendations:

• By offering activities and spaces for children, wineries can become family destinations for travelers.
• Social media is an important way to reach millennial audiences, and Visit Tri-Cities can capitalize on that through the use of social media influencers and hashtags, contests, and raffles to promote user-generated content that can be shared and reposted.
• The 鈥淭ri-Cities鈥� label may not resonate with people from other parts of Washington. Helping define what the Tri-Cities is could increase the area鈥檚 draw for travelers.
• Creating a Tri-Cities Pass would open prospective tourists鈥� eyes to the area鈥檚 attractions, while offering a discount for bundling activities.

Before Washington鈥檚 鈥渟tay home, stay safe鈥� order went into effect, Novakovich took the class on a bus tour of the Tri-Cities. 鈥淚 was flabbergasted by all of the stuff you could do鈥擨 felt like a tourist in my own town,鈥� said, Abraham Mendoza (鈥�20, Bus. Admin.), who grew up in Pasco.

He and teammates Valexa Hernandez, Valerie Long, Brittany Stanton-Dameron, and Cade Timmons crafted a Tri-Cities Pass for 20-something, cost-conscious travelers. It included options such as kayaking or paddleboarding on the Columbia River, a visit to the B-Reactor, a wine cruise, local cuisine, and a farmers鈥� market.

鈥淲e combined what we thought were the Tri-Cities鈥� main attractions and made it easy for people to purchase a pass to go do those things,鈥� said Long, a senior from Richland. The students hope the Tri-Cities Pass becomes a reality.

鈥淚f they put something like this together,鈥� Long said, 鈥淚鈥檒l definitely be buying it.鈥�

Exposing students to the tourism industry

Besides benefitting Visit Tri-Cities, the students鈥� ideas will be shared with the Washington Tourism Alliance, says Andi Day (鈥�91 Hist.).

Day is the vice chair of the alliance, a nonprofit that promotes Washington鈥檚 tourism industry, and executive director of the Long Beach Peninsula鈥檚 Visitors Bureau. She鈥檚 also the initiator of the class project on destination marketing, which she suggested at a Carson College National Board of Advisors meeting.

鈥淲e welcome opportunities to expose students to the tourism industry and this facet of marketing,鈥� Day said. 鈥淚t was great to get their perspectives as well.鈥�

Day was particularly interested in the students鈥� Tri-Cities Pass. The alliance is working on a similar passport idea to promote in-state tourism as COVID-19 related restrictions ease.

鈥淥ne of our campaigns is about exploring your own backyard,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e fortunate to live in a really beautiful state, and we see it as a way to promote safe travel. We can direct tourists to less crowded areas, away from large events to safer activities.鈥�

 

Media contact:

Joan Giese, 黑料社 Tri-Cities clinical associate professor and business and marketing insights coordinator, 509-372-7036, joan.giese@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities public relations/communication coordinator, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� 聽As communities in Washington state begin to move into the first phase of returning to business, the Washington Wine Institute unveiled a return-to-business guide for wineries across the state created in partnership with a Washington State University Tri-Cities business professor and local industry.

The guide, which is available now online in a聽聽and via a聽, provides specific recommendations for how wineries can safely return to business according to Gov. Jay Inslee鈥檚 鈥淪afe Start鈥� guidelines.

The return-to-business guide includes recommendations on winery procedures for dine-in service, employee safety and health, cleaning and sanitation, as well as organizational and administrative considerations and personnel illness management guidelines.

鈥淭his serves as best practices guidelines and a check list of sorts for reopening a tasting room based on what has been required and recommended by our health departments and the state,鈥� said Byron Marlowe, 黑料社 Tri-Cities Don Smith Distinguished Professor and director of wine and beverage business management. 鈥淲e want to help wineries feel prepared for this next phase and make sure everyone, business members and consumers alike, are safe while doing so.鈥�

Creating a Safe Start quick-guide for wineries

Marlowe initially reached out to Washington Wine Commission leaders in April asking about Washington state-specific resources for wineries trying to re-open as part of what would be identified later as Phase 2 of the governor鈥檚 Safe Start plan. He was sent to work with Josh McDonald, executive director of the Washington Wine Institute, per the organization鈥檚 work in helping wineries in the political and regulatory areas of state and federal government.

The duo, in partnership with regional and state associations, examined recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Washington State Department of Health, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, the governor鈥檚 requirements, as well as a series of other guidance to come up with the document and webinar.

Marlowe said with the numerous guidelines and documentation available, it can be overwhelming for winery owners to familiarize themselves accordingly with all recommendations and requirements for re-opening.

鈥淚n this piece, we have a quicker guide so that it is more obvious when something is not in-line with the regulations or recommendations,鈥� he said.

Some of the recommendations in the guide include not permitting bar seating, making hand sanitizer available at entryways for all staff and patrons and posting clear signs that list COVID-19 related concerns.

Guidance on later phases coming soon

The document and webinar so far only address Phase 2 of Gov. Inslee鈥檚 鈥淪afe Start鈥� initiative, however, McDonald said they hope to continue their work leading up to communities reaching phases 3 and 4 of Safe Start.

鈥淚t has become evident that as rules continue to evolve with each new phase, and will mostly-likely continue to change in our new economic climate, our wineries need a reliable resource to navigate the rules,鈥� McDonald said. 鈥淏yron and I have spoken about the potential to collaborate more in the future once we better understand how each phase will impact our wineries. We will absolutely be updating these documents, as needed, to help Washington wineries operate in a safe and compliant manner.鈥�

Advice for shortfalls in sales during unprecedented time

Marlowe said while the document focuses on recommendations and protocols, it does not address best practices for business operations to help address current and potential shortfalls in sales amid COVID-19. Stemming from his background in wine and beverage business management, however, he recommends that wineries continue to offer curbside pick-up, as well as encouraging reservations and the marketing of how customers can make those reservations.

鈥淲e know this is a tough time for wineries, and some things that work for large wineries won鈥檛 work for our smaller operations,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut there are things that businesses can be doing now to increase sales. That is precisely why we went about creating this return to business guide. We are trying to find ways for businesses to remain open while following protocols and guidelines as outlined by the state and federal government so that everyone remains safe.鈥�

Additionally, Marlowe designed a聽hospitality beverage experience guide聽that provides information on how wineries can systematically identify components of product, price, place and promotion to enhance experiential value for customers during COVID-19.

Media contacts:

• Byron Marlowe, 黑料社 Tri-Cities Don Smith Distinguished Professor and director of wine and beverage business management, 509-372-7436,聽byron.marlowe@wsu.edu
• Josh McDonald, executive director of the Washington Wine Institute,聽josh@wwi.wine
• Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities public relations/communication coordinator, 619-403-3617 (cell),聽maegan_murray@wsu.edu

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Fifty-six days.

It鈥檚 the length of time that Washington State University Tri-Cities business alumna Mariah Brush was stranded at sea with thousands of others while working aboard a cruise ship amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following graduating from 黑料社 Tri-Cities in 2018, Brush fancied herself a regular business job working at a desk. After all, it was the type of job she was most familiar with while working several jobs in college. While studying at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, she served as an intern in finance and contracts at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. She also worked for 黑料社 Tri-Cities in various departments, at Pacific Crest Planning, NewEdge Marketing, State Farm and for a chiropractor鈥檚 office.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 expect for my life to take such a random turn,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I never thought I鈥檇 work on a cruise ship, let alone get stranded at sea amid a global pandemic.鈥�

Brush heard about the job working for a cruise ship from a friend, who had done so for a few seasons. She decided to inquire about how it all worked. Before she knew it, she was four contracts in working in the kids club for the Holland America Line.

鈥淎s a student at 黑料社, I did a lot of event planning and marketing for events, so I was still able to apply a lot of those skills with the job on the ship,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was really great. I went to Europe last year, the Caribbean, and then this year, did some Mexico runs and went to the Panama Canal.鈥�

In March of this year, however, she and her crew members found themselves in an unusual predicament. At first, they thought most people had the common flu. They were asked to socially distance, but still had a relative range of freedom. They were able to go above deck and tan, watch movies on the main stage and access regular food resources. They even had a crew party. But that soon ended.

Following what would be their last visit to land of the trip, Brush said one of her good friends and fellow employees was one of the first members on the ship to test positive for COVID-19.

鈥淚 got a call from medical stating that we needed to lock ourselves in our room right away,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 freaked out, and yelled down the hall that we all had to go into lockdown. I didn鈥檛 know it was going to be for so long.鈥�

Brush said she and her fellow crew members spent the days trying to entertain themselves. She said luckily, she had bought a Nintendo Switch, which helped pass the time. She and her crewmates would call each other from their room phones. They were also fortunate to have moved to rooms with balconies, which was a huge mood booster.

The food, however, was not so great. What started off as normal meals quickly became fish heads and rice, literally. Morale also started to dwindle.

鈥淚t felt like a prison,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 had my phone, but the internet was terrible and expensive. We mostly didn鈥檛 see another human until our next meal was delivered. They would give us our food and walk away. Medical would also come by every day to take our temperatures. But for the most part, we saw no one.鈥�

On day 14 of their quarantine, they were finally allowed out of their rooms. They could leave their room for one hour every meal time. They had 30 minutes to get to the lido deck and then another 30 minutes to walk around and get back to their rooms.

A few days after that, they transferred ships, but they still weren鈥檛 allowed to dock on U.S. soil. They went back down south to Mexico where they transferred some crew members, but they were running out of food and water. They then went back on lock-down, as a sick crew member was reported. The one shining moment was the fact that they were moved to an upper floor where they could get some fresh air.

鈥淓very morning, we got 50 minutes of outdoor time,鈥� she said.

It would be another few weeks before they had a glimmer of hope. They were told they could get off the ship in Los Angeles, but then were told by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that it wouldn鈥檛 be possible, even after their company bought them all plane tickets home.

Meanwhile, Brush said family members back home were making frequent calls to the governor鈥檚 office, the CDC, senators and U.S. representatives. But seemingly, there wasn鈥檛 anything anyone could do. They just had to wait it out.

Then, the phone call came. They were told on May 7 that they could get off the ship and that they would be returning home. They received their plane tickets at 8:30 p.m. that evening.

鈥淚t honestly didn鈥檛 feel real,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here had been a few times where we got our hopes up that we were going to get to go home, and then those were dashed away. When it became a reality that we were going to go home, we were all so relieved.鈥�

Now, back home in Tri-Cities, Brush said it still feels surreal. She said she continues to have nightmares that she is back on the ship, or she wakes up in the morning thinking that she is still aboard the ship. But she does have a newfound appreciation for home and for basic freedoms.

鈥淚鈥檓 outside right now, as I say this,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 can walk through the grass, see my family.鈥�

Surprisingly, Brush said she doesn鈥檛 count out working on a cruise ship again, however, it isn鈥檛 in her immediate plans. She said she is currently taking some free courses online on social media marketing. She also hopes to put to use her business administration degree from 黑料社 Tri-Cities to get a job in travel tourism or in some form of marketing after the pandemic is over.

One thing she does realize, however, is that the travel industry is likely changed forever.

鈥淭hings are likely going to be very different from here on out,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be interesting to see how things change, and probably for the better.鈥�

 

Media contacts:

Mariah Brush, 黑料社 Tri-Cities alumna, mariah.brush19@gmail.com

By Sue McMurray, Carson College of Business

, Carson College of Business clinical assistant professor of hospitality business management at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, was recently awarded the聽.

Established in 2015 in honor of 黑料社 Professor Emeritus Don Smith (鈥渢he Coach鈥�), the position, supports a faculty member who most embodies Smith鈥檚 spirit: an outstanding teacher, strong mentor, and accomplished industry professional. Smith passed away in 2016, just a few months prior to be inducted into the 黑料社 School of Hospitality Business Management Hall of Fame in 2017.

Marlowe, who leads the聽wine and beverage business management program聽at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, was named for his strong contributions in teaching, service and research, as well as his ongoing industry connection over his five years with 黑料社.

鈥淏yron is someone that exemplifies the legacy of Don Smith within the School of Hospitality Business Management,鈥� said Bob Harrington, director of the school. 鈥淗e is a distinguished teacher, researcher and closely connected to the hospitality and beverage industries.鈥�

Honored to be associated with Don Smith鈥檚 legacy

Marlowe said his career and life share a few parallels with Smith鈥檚.

鈥淩eceiving the Don Smith Professorship is a blessing.聽 I鈥檓 originally from Indiana; Don, from Illinois.聽 I played college football; so did he.聽I鈥檝e taught in a chateau in Lyon, France; he owned and operated the Chateau Louise in West Dundee, IL. I鈥檓 a Kentucky Colonel, and he worked for Kentucky Fried Chicken corporate. He was the CEO of Shakey鈥檚 Pizza Parlor; I take my kids there after I coach their games,鈥� he said. 鈥淥n behalf of his family, friends, former students, and colleagues, I look forward to trying to fill the shoes Coach left at 黑料社.鈥�

The professorship provides Marlowe with additional funding per year to support research and teaching expenses.

鈥淭he professorship will allow me to be more visible in the world of hospitality management education, as well as food and beverage business management.聽 Don taught at two other universities besides 黑料社 and was recognized as a Conti professor at Pennsylvania State University,鈥� said Marlowe. 鈥淎lumni from those universities still credit Don with much of their success. His contributions were invaluable and unquantifiable. I鈥檓 so honored to be associated with his legacy.鈥�

Marlowe鈥檚 achievements distinguish 黑料社, hospitality and wine industries

Marlowe is an international business fellow in the Carson College and faculty of both the Graduate and Honors Colleges at 黑料社 Pullman. Recently, he was named a聽聽and will teach and conduct research next year at the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems in Krems an der Donau, Austria.

Some of his highest achievements include facilitating the growth and success of the online聽聽program, working with industry to create the 2019 Graduate Golden Ale that funds student scholarships, drawing multiple media attention toward the beverage industry, and creating the 鈥淐oach鈥檚 Cup鈥� Intercollegiate Wine Business Competition. He has developed new courses, is the lead faculty member in the interdisciplinary Washington Wine History project, and is a highly respected consultant in the wine and beverage industry.

Marlowe is known for his research impact and leads SHBM clinical professors in research productivity with 10 refereed journal articles in the past four years (including three in one of the top hospitality publications), five book chapters, and 鈥淲ine Sales and Distribution: The Secrets to Building a Consultative Selling Approach,鈥� a textbook that earned the 2020 award for 鈥淏est Book for Professionals鈥� by the聽.

鈥淯ndoubtedly, the professorship will help me serve the Carson College of Business, the School of Hospitality Business Management, and, most importantly, my students, due to the experiences I will have as the Don Smith Professor at 黑料社 in the future,鈥� said Marlowe.

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Individuals will enjoy a delectable brunch, keynote presentation from a prominent 黑料社 hospitality business alumnus, as well as a live auction and games as part of the annual Washington State University Tri-Cities Carson College of Business Point to Success Fundraising Brunch on March 7, as generously sponsored by Anthony鈥檚 at Columbia Point and proud partner STCU.

The brunch takes place from 10 a.m. 鈥� 1 p.m. at Anthony鈥檚 at Columbia Point on Saturday, March 7. Admission costs $100 per person before Feb. 27. After Feb. 27, admission costs $125 per person. To register and for more information, visit .

Admission also includes a signed copy of 鈥淩OAR: How to Build a Resilient Organization the World-Famous San Diego Zoo Way,鈥� a book authored by Point to Success keynote speaker Tim Mulligan, chief human resources officer of late Paul Allen鈥檚 Seattle-based holding company Vulcan Inc.

Keynote speaker Tim Mulligan

Mulligan鈥檚 career has taken him all over the west coast, from the Tri-Cities, to the Starwood Hotels and Resorts, to the World-Famous San Diego Zoo, to now leading the human resources department of Vulcan Inc. The Hanford High School, 黑料社 and juris doctor Gonzaga University alumnus has used his education wisely, asserting opportunities in the business sector that have led to more than he thought possible. All the while, he remained close to his roots, supporting 黑料社 students in their journeys in business and helping them find jobs in business and other sectors.

鈥淚 went to 黑料社 and graduated from the Carson College鈥檚 hospitality program with the hope of managing restaurants and hotels,鈥� Mulligan said. 鈥淚 never anticipated that I would take that amazing 黑料社 experience and degree and see it lead me to a unique and exciting career as a lawyer and HR executive at such diverse companies and locations as I鈥檝e been fortunate to experience.鈥�

Robert Harrington, director of the 黑料社 School of Hospitality Business Management, said stemming from Mulligan鈥檚 foundation as a 黑料社 alum, to his travels across the country for a variety of exciting experiences, his presentation will lend a fascinating account of what is possible through a 黑料社 degree in business, and how others may be able to follow in his footsteps.

鈥淭im will also talk about successful ways for building and maintaining a business,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great learning opportunity for our local business and affiliated community members.鈥�

Generous community support

Harrington said each year, Anthony鈥檚 at Columbia Point generously donates their space, service and food for the annual 黑料社 fundraiser so that all proceeds go directly to the local program. This year, STCU joins as a proud partner. The Lodge at Columbia Point also donates accommodations for the featured speakers for the event, as well as other services.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredible partnership that truly benefits local business students and faculty,鈥� Harrington said. 鈥淭his is an event that not only showcases what our students are currently doing in the business programs through 黑料社 Tri-Cities, but also what is possible when businesses support local education. They are supporting their future employees and the future of business. We are incredibly grateful for their support.鈥�

 

Media contacts:

Robert Harrington, director of 黑料社 School of Hospitality Business Management, 509-372-7487, rharrington@wsu.edu

Tim Mulligan, chief human resources officer of Vulcan Inc., 206-342-2382, timm@vulcan.com

Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities public relations/communication coordinator, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� For as long as Mario Rodriguez could remember, his mother, Maria Luisa Rodriguez, had taken one or two classes at a time, determined to earn her bachelor鈥檚 degree in business.

After working in an assortment of jobs, ranging from harvesting crops, to warehouses, to restaurants, to childcare, she and her husband wanted to provide a better life for their family. While Mario Rodriguez and his siblings were out on the playground, his mother would study for a class or complete an assignment – first for her courses at Columbia Basin College and then for her courses at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

鈥淎t an early age, I knew that if I wanted something I had to work hard in order to achieve it,鈥� Maria Luisa Rodriguez said. 鈥淓arning my degrees would be no different. As life created its path for me, I had the realization that not having a degree would limit me in the dreams and goals I had. I mentally made myself a life goals checklist: Earn a college degree, get a job with purpose and fulfillment, and simply live a good life.鈥�

So when Mario Rodriguez decided to pursue his own path toward earning at college degree at 黑料社 Tri-Cities a couple of years ago, he wanted to make his mom proud.

鈥淪he wanted to make sure that she earned that degree,鈥� he said. 鈥淗er being in school always motivated me. She took a class or two while raising us. She is really inspiring, and I want make her proud.鈥�

Saving money and getting an excellent education

Rodriguez chose 黑料社 Tri-Cities as his own college option after studying at another college campus for a year because he could live at home, save money, remain close to his family, and get an excellent, well-rounded education.

In his classes, Rodriguez said he enjoyed learning from professors who are 鈥減assionate, in-tune with business needs of today and really engaging with their teaching.鈥�

He chose to pursue a double degree option鈥攕tudying digital technology and culture, where he specializes in graphic design and video production, and business administration, where he is working to grow his foundational knowledge in business, which can be applied to an assortment of areas in marketing and running a multimedia marketing firm.

鈥淚 have had classes with business professor Jesus Bravo, who was super into the subjects he was speaking about,鈥� he says. 鈥淗e would talk to you about the products you have in a business, how to keep your business relevant, and why many businesses fail or succeed.鈥�

鈥淥ur professors teach us material that is applicable today and they constantly engage us and ask us questions to make us feel important and that our feedback matters,鈥� he says.

聽On-campus opportunities to spur potential career in marketing

Rodriguez has had the opportunity to work in several capacities on campus that support his goal of pursuing a career in marketing.

He worked in the Office of Professional Development and Community Education where he designed flyers, created materials, and helped manage office duties. This provided him with a good foundation for how an office worked.

Because his mother worked for the running start program at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, he had the opportunity to use what he learned through his digital technology and culture classes to take photos and video to be used by the program. These opportunities helped showcase his talents to the university marketing and communications office, where he was recruited to work as an intern.

In the marketing and communications office at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, Rodriguez blends his passion for design with his skills in business to produce materials ranging from video features, to crafting plans for social media marketing, to creating designs that are used for flyers, and other marketing materials.

鈥淚t鈥檚 cool to be able to work on projects that will highlight our campus and be used for real marketing purposes,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 am applying what I鈥檓 learning while still going to school.鈥�

From mom to son

Last spring, Rodriguez witnessed his mother receive her diploma for a bachelor鈥檚 in business from 黑料社 Tri-Cities. She is now using her degree as a program coordinator for the Carson College of Business at 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

鈥淪eeing her walk across that stage made me really proud, and even more so, made me want to live up to what she had set for me,鈥� Mario Rodriguez said.

Now, he looks forward to making his mom proud by following in her footsteps while setting forth in his own path in marketing.

Mario Rodriguez completed his digital technology and culture degree last spring and now is finishing his bachelor鈥檚 in business administration with the goal of one-day working for a multimedia or advertising firm.

Maria Luisa Rodriguez said she couldn鈥檛 be more proud of her son.

鈥淚 constantly remind Mario that there are no limits to your dreams and to never let anything stop you from achieving them,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here will be times where you will want to give up and wonder 鈥榃hy am I doing this?鈥� But after all those heartaches and late nights, nothing beats the feeling of when you walk across that stage, receive your degree and shake the hands of the very same people who supported, guided and motivated you along the way.鈥�

Interested in pursuing a career in business? Visit聽tricities.wsu.edu/business.