2019 News Archive

23 years in the Coliseum: Longtime UofSC employee Michelle Knight earns master's degree while working full-time

In December 2019, Michelle Knight will complete her master's degree in sport and entertainment management, wrapping up 18 years of classes in the Coliseum and two degrees from the UofSC's College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management.

High expectations: Retailing instructor strives to be a ‘good boss’ to her students

The University of South Carolina has plenty of good teachers. But some, like senior instructor of retailing Karen Edwards, take their efforts in the classroom to the next level.

Making connections: Networking opportunities gained at UofSC help Dashon Murray launch a career with Hyatt

Dashon Murray will graduate from the University of South Carolina in December with a bachelor's degree in tourism management and a management job with one of the world's top hotel chains already secured. A lot of hard work went into reaching his graduation and career goals, but the turning point came with one simple conversation.

Win a trip to New York Fashion Week!

The University of South Carolina’s Department of Retailing, UofSC Trademark Licensing and IMG College Licensing are teaming up to provide two UofSC students with a free trip to New York City to represent UofSC at New York Fashion Week in February 2020.

Airman works toward master’s degree at UofSC while serving his country

The first words visitors see at the U.S. Air Force website are “We do the impossible every day.” As an airman, husband and father of two working toward his second master’s degree while on active duty, Tech. Sgt. Matthew Sigmon has learned that the slogan is true, and that the key word is “we.”

Category management partnership opens new career opportunities for UofSC students

Product placement, inventory decisions and other analytic decisions are part of the lucrative and fast-growing segment of the retailing industry known as category management. A new partnership is opening doors to that job market for University of South Carolina retail management students.

Preserving a family tradition

Anna and Bob Williams founded Lizard's Thicket in 1977. While the company has grown from that first Columbia eatery to 15 locations and more than 700 employees, it remains a family business. UofSC students are now part of that family, thanks to The Bob and Anna Tronco Williams Lizard's Thicket Scholarship Support Fund, established by Anna and Bob's children to honor their parents and help students succeed.

November 2019 faculty, staff and alumni notes

Here’s a quick list of just a few of the accomplishments and milestones from across the college this month!

2019 HRSM Distinguished Alumni and Friends of the College Award Recipients

The University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management is proud to announce the winners of its 2019 HRSM Distinguished Alumni and Friends Awards.

Tourism career journey: Warren Jahn, Jr.

Warren Jahn joined IHG in 2007 as a revenue management training consultant, and today he leads a remote-based team of senior training consultants who conduct field-based and virtual training workshops for all IHG affiliated properties and brands in the Americas region.

Tourism career journey: Nora Thomas

As manager for National Councils / Industry Relations and ESTO for the U.S. Travel Association, Nora Thomas gets to work with talented professionals who push her to continue reaching for the next level in my career.

Hospitality management student awarded $25,000 scholarship of excellence

Faculty and staff at the University of South Carolina have known Florencia Laber was a rising star since she first arrived on campus. The Statler Foundation has now confirmed it, awarding the senior hospitality management major its $25,000 Scholarship of Excellence.

HRSM students research around the globe with help from Magellan Scholar Award

At the UofSC, learning is never limited to the four walls of a classroom, the Columbia campus, or even to the U.S. Programs like the Magellan Scholar Award help make it possible for Gamecocks to go anywhere in the world to pursue knowledge and build the foundation for great careers.

Alumna Ashley Owens helping make "Yeah, THAT Greenville" a top destination

Ashley Owens learned a difficult lesson early: there is no magic word or formula that brings instant success. Five years after graduating from the University of South Carolina, Owens is now sales manager for VisitGreenvilleSC, but it took patience and hard work to get there.

October 2019 faculty, staff and alumni notes

Here’s a quick list of just a few of the accomplishments and milestones from across the college this month!

Students gain unique educational experience at New York Fashion Week

As the fashion world converged in New York for Fashion Week, two UofSC College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management students were treated to a one-of-a-kind educational experience thanks to a collaboration between the university, Collegiate Licensing Company, and IMG's fashion events division.

Fashion is life: UofSC Retailing Department expands career options for students by integrating technology

The university's Department of Retailing is making it its mission to connect curriculum to the dynamic job market demands and expanding the opportunities to work in fashion in a much broader context.

UofSC sport management researchers reveal bots' role in NFL anthem protest

When San Francisco 49ers player Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem in 2016, it set off a Twitter storm like few others and began a polarizing debate and movement which continues three years later.

Student-run restaurant at McCutchen House to open for fall semester

One of the best restaurants in town is on campus at the University of South Carolina, and customers get to contribute to a hands-on learning experience for students while eating a great meal.

UofSC wedding planning class announces winners of 'Love Story Wedding'

The biggest moments in their relationship have happened at the University of South Carolina, and now Jillian Owens and Brad Morris will have a free wedding thanks to students in the university's College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management.

September 2019 faculty, staff and alumni notes

Here’s a quick list of just a few of the accomplishments and milestones from across the college this month!

Gamecock grad entertains the world — one arena at a time

Sam Piccione, president of Oak View Group International, never imagined moving from Columbia to Los Angeles then to China and finally to London before the age of 40. But the sports and live entertainment industry has taken him to 41 countries so far.

Love Story Wedding

The University of South Carolina's College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management is looking for one lucky couple to receive a free wedding this fall!

August 2019 faculty, staff and alumni notes

Here are just a few of the accomplishments by the faculty, staff and alumni of the college for the month of August!

UofSC hospitality management school leaps to national top 10

For the second year in a row, the University of South Carolina's School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management has jumped up in academic rankings and is now among the top 10 hospitality schools in the country.

McCutchen: A Gamecock Family Name Built on Hospitality and Scholarship

As a little girl, she played on the Horseshoe, listened to her grandfather share wisdom with students in his on-campus home, and sat on the knee of the president of the University of South Carolina. As a young woman, she became the first female student in the UofSC engineering school.

July 2019 faculty, staff and alumni notes

Here are just a few of the accomplishments by the faculty, staff and alumni of the college for the month of July!

Spring 2019 honors list students

Congratulations to the following HRSM students who made the spring 2019 Dean's and President's Lists.

UofSC tennis champ comes up aces in the classroom too

On May 25, Paul Jubb made University of South Carolina history, becoming the first Gamecock to win a national championship in men's tennis. His drive and passion are apparent both on and off the court, making the retailing major an ace in the classroom too.

UofSC professor chosen to lead Sport Marketing Association

Khalid Ballouli of the University of South Carolina is the new president-elect of the Sport Marketing Association (SMA), one of the top professional and academic associations for the field of sport marketing.

U.S. Women's Open in South Carolina

The world's best female golfers came to South Carolina this month as Charleston hosted the 2019 U.S. Women's Open and UofSC students and alumni were there gaining valuable experience helping run the prestigious event.

June 2019 faculty, staff and alumni notes

Here's a quick list of just a few of the many accomplishments by faculty, staff and alumni in June!

Retailing professor wins Fulbright for work in Uzbekistan

The Fulbright program is one of the most famous and prestigious scholarship programs in the world, with 59 alumni who also have Nobel Prizes and 82 Pulitzer Prize winners. Many people in academia try throughout their career and never win a Fulbright Scholarship. Professor Mark Rosenbaum, chair of the retailing department, now has three.

#SummerGoals Photo Contest!

Share your epic summer experiences for a chance to win the #SummerGoals Photo Contest hosted by the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management!

Do employee reward programs actually work?

Suppose you were named Employee of the Month, complete with a plaque and your name in the company newsletter. Would it make you more likely to stay with your employer if a better job came along a month later?

Win a trip to New York Fashion Week!

Calling all Gamecock fashionistas! UofSC’s Department of Retailing, UofSC Trademark Licensing and IMG College Licensing are teaming up to send two UofSC students on a free trip to New York City to represent UofSC at New York Fashion Week!

May 2019 faculty, staff and alumni notes

Here’s a quick list of just a few of the accomplishments and milestones from across the college this month!

Hooding and Cording Ceremony May 2019

The College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management celebrated its largest graduating class ever in May 2019. On Friday, May 10 the college held it's Hooding and Cording Ceremony for honors students and graduate students, prior to the university commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11, 2019.

Graduation dreams come true for UofSC student who overcame rejection

Sometimes success begins with rejection. As a high school senior, Tyler Hall applied to attend the University of South Carolina, but did not make the cut. Some people might have given up on being a Gamecock at that moment, but not Hall.

Five years of hard work leads to two degrees and a prestigious job

It's not at all uncommon for a college student to remain on campus for five years. That's how long Tatiana Allgeyer has been at the UofSC. What makes her time in Columbia exceptional is that in those years she earned not only a bachelor's degree, but also a master's, while working multiple jobs to pay her own way.

Viva Las Vegas!

After graduation, Zahria Barber will begin a job at MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas. For the hospitality management major, learning management skills in one of the nation’s biggest tourist meccas is the next step in fulfilling a dream she’s had since high school.

Graduating senior leaves legacy of HOPE for people with disabilities

Andrew Super will graduate from the University of South Carolina May 11, but earning his diploma might be the second-most impressive thing he has accomplished during his college career.

20 years later, UofSC employee earns second degree

Chip Wade may have spent more time on the University of South Carolina campus than any other member of the graduating class of 2019.

College of HRSM 2019 Faculty and Staff Awards

The University of South Carolina's College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport management celebrated a successful school year and honored some particularly outstanding faculty and staff at its end-of-year awards ceremony and luncheon on April 30, 2019.

April 2019 faculty, staff and alumni notes

Here's a quick list of just a few of the college's accomplishments and milestones of the past month!

Supporting the next mission

As Duke's first game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament tipped off in Columbia, one big Blue Devils fan was not watching. Army veteran Walter James loves basketball, but was happy to be in the kitchen with comrades in the Wounded Warrior Project.

Training up: Students gain real-world experience working March Madness tournament

The return of March Madness brought the national spotlight to Columbia. For dozens of University of South Carolina students, it also brought a chance to work behind the scenes and experience the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament firsthand.

Career journey: Caroline Riffel

Carolina Riffel’s career journey began in January 2016, when she attended the National Retail Federation Conference Student Program in New York City. She was immediately drawn to Belk, and after several interviews was hired into their Executive Training (ET) program in Charlotte, N.C.

Tourism and Event Leaders Share Insights at UofSC

On March 26, 2019, the University of South Carolina's Department of Sport and Entertainment Management hosted the Thomas H. Regan Executive Lecture Series - Major Events in South Carolina.

Horsepower

The economic impact of the equine industry in South Carolina has nearly quadrupled in the past 14 years, and now contributes nearly $2 billion and 29,000 jobs annually to the state's economy.

March faculty, staff and alumni news and notes

Here’s a quick list of just a few of the college’s accomplishments and milestones of the past month!

Her turn at bat

Regan Durham will graduate in May with a B.S. in Sport and Entertainment Management, but her journey to the big leagues has already begun.

Upcycled denim designs

There are many on-ramps for the road to success. University of South Carolina retailing major Sarah-Jane Long found her entrance as a high school freshman, and all because of a fashion trend.

Building a vibrant future for South Carolina

Customer experience industries are the lifeblood of South Carolina and the foundation for vibrant economies and communities across the state.

Grady recognized for leadership and academic excellence in sport law

University of South Carolina Professor John Grady has received an award regarded as the single highest honor for scholarly achievements in sport law.

March Madness in Columbia

For the first time in almost 50 years, March Madness returns to Columbia, S.C., with the city chosen as a host site for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.

February 2019 faculty, staff and alumni notes

Here's a quick list of just a few of the college's accomplishments and milestones this past month!

Career Journey: Mamee Groves

Mamee Groves' first taste of hospitality in a restaurant setting was McDonald's, but she found her love for working with people even earlier.

New internship supports women in sport management

The University of South Carolina and Monumental Sports & Entertainment are proud to announce a new internship program for female students majoring in sport and entertainment management.

Fall 2018 honors list students

Congratulations to the students who made the fall 2018 Dean's and President's Lists.

Let's get analytical: Using data analytics to measure social media interactions

Imagine how many threads of social media a professional sports team might generate in a single day. Now imagine tracking each one — every tweet, every Facebook comment, every Instagram post — every day for every team in Major League Baseball.

Making it to the Big Show

17 UofSC students spent part of their winter break at the country's largest retail convention: the NRF Big Show in New York City.

On the move

The College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management is on the move and will have a new home at the Close-Hipp Building in 2019.

January 2019 faculty, staff and alumni notes

Here’s a quick list of just a few of the accomplishments and milestones from across the college this month!

Hospitality and tourism graduate conference

The University of South Carolina's School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism management kicked off the New Year at the 24th Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism held in Houston, Texas on January 3 - 6, 2019.

Shaomian named president of the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association

UofSC Associate Professor Armen Shaomian becomes president of a prestigious international organization which brings educators and industry leaders together to support emerging research and student success.

Career Journey: Cindy Spain-Green

Cindy Spain-Green is vice president of leasing for AmericasMart® Atlanta - the largest trade mart/trade show complex of its kind in the world.

College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management