News

We have recently been informed of the following Hotelies that have passed. The deceased are listed in the order they are reported, with the most recent at the top.Obituaries sent to us are linked below and appear on the Class Notes pages in the "news" tab.Ivan A. CooperSeptember 9, 2026Ross T. BellJuly 4, 2026Marco Benvenuti '05August 27, 2026Robert A. Alter '73August 15, 2026Gene A. Erickson '57J

The first thing Dean King would like everyone to know is that hospitality is in her DNA and that she is driven by a desire to make a difference through motivating and educating the next generation of industry leaders. Her passion for the industry is sincere and deeply consistent with the Hotelie mantra that “Life is Service.” Professor Ceridwyn King was appointed the Dimond Family Dean of the Corn

An excerpt from Brad's story...For more than three decades, Brad Wilson ’84 has stood at the crossroads where analytical rigor meets creative vision. A leader who transformed how the world experiences hotels, Wilson’s journey has been defined not by following industry playbooks, but by writing new ones—taking hospitality from traditional luxury into high-concept, culturally vibrant boutique spaces

An excerpt from Jimi's story...James Beard award-winner Jimi Yui speaks the language of chefs, affording him the unique ability to create the stages where they perform.Jimi’s passions for food and design…the recurring themes in his life and work…were cultivated early during his childhood in The Guest House, his family’s acclaimed Shanghai- and Peking-style restaurant in Tokyo. His interests then t

An excerpt from Joe's story...“We traveled to Ithaca and did the tour of the school; the ambassador (a role also fulfilled by my daughter, Allie ‘07 years later) was quite the charmer and had Mom all jazzed up about the Hotel School—I was too.I think I was a bit tepid in the interview (parents joined in those days) and when we came out into the hall after, my Dad said, “Well, you sure flunked that

An excerpt from Curt's story...Curt Strand, retired chairman and CEO of Hilton International was one of the most successful and influential CEO’s in lodging in modern history.Born 1920 in Vienna, Strand and his family fled Austria and settled in the United States in 1937.“My father had the idea that I should get some American experience and coincidentally at that time as I went out to go to the U.

An excerpt from Jeanne's story...Jeanne Brown grew up in Charleston, West Virginia where her father worked in the food business. Good food and nice restaurants were important to him, and Jeanne grew up looking forward to annual road trips that took the family to new locations across the United States which always included nice hotels and restaurants.When researching colleges, she planned to major

An excerpt from Dick's story...Richard Copeland “Dick” Nelson ’57 was one of the hospitality industry’s most admired leaders—a Hotelie whose life embodied excellence, humility, and an unwavering belief that the greatest measure of success is the people you develop. Across more than four decades with Hilton and Hyatt, and throughout his lifelong service to Cornell and the hospitality profession, Di

Zachary Conine ‘03State Treasurer - NevadaInterviewed by Jason Orenstein '27Treasurer Zachary Conine graduated from the Hotel School in 2003, and since then has worked in a variety of industries within the hospitality field and beyond. He began working in restaurants and casinos before progressing to focus on law and consulting in Nevada. It was then, in 2018, that he decided to run for State Offi

By Robert Mandelbaum '81 The Cornell Hotel Society salutes one of our own, Kate Walsh MPS ’90 for her ten years of service as the Dimond Family Dean of the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration.Kate was the first Hotelie to serve as dean of the Hotel School since Robert Beck, Hotel ’42, retired after his twenty-year tenure in 1981. Like many Hotelies, Kate developed a pa

Registration DetailsGolfer Registration: $1,500 per person (Early Bird: $1,250 — until July 4th)Non-Golfer / Guest: $1,000 per person (Early Bird: $750 — until July 4th)What is included:Two full rounds of golf with cart and lunches (golfers)Thursday Desert Kickoff Reception (all attendees)Friday Fairway Forum Industry Panel & CHS Dinner (all attendees)Saturday Networking Lunch & Keynote Address (a

It gives us great pleasure to announce the Cornell Hotelie Hall of Fame, Class of 2026 Inductees recipients whose leadership, service, and impact can be felt across the hospitality industry.The honorees for the Class of 2026 are:Curt Strand ’43Richard (Dick) Nelson ’57Jeanne Sander ’66Stephen Mutkoski ’67, PhD ’76Joseph Lavin ’75Jimi Yui ‘79Brad Wilson ’84Michelle Russo ’87Elizabeth Blau, MPS ’95M

In 2020, the Cornell Hotel Society (CHS) Hotelie for Life® Senior Prize was named in memory of Philippus Miller ’83, longtime director of alumni affairs at The Hotel School (SHA) and founder of the executive search firm Philippus Miller III and Associates. Phil was famously known for facilitating relationships among Hotel School students, faculty, and alumni. He was the consummate Hotelie - a peop

HOTELIE REUNION CHECKLISTSign up for Reunion!  Connect with your fellow hotelie classmates before you head to campus for Reunion on June 4-7!  Post your Class Group page! Sign up for brunch with the dean on Saturday - (registration link)

In 2019 the Cornell Hotel Society established the Philippus Miller III ‘83 Legacy Award.  The award was designed to recognize and celebrate Phil Miller’s legacy as a builder of networks and relationships.  For decades Phil was the heart of the Cornell Hotelie for Life® that is the foundation of the Cornell Hotel Society (CHS).  The award is given to students that demonstrate an understanding of th

One of the most powerful aspects of being part of the Cornell Hotel Society is the shared belief that learning doesn’t end at graduation—it evolves with us throughout our careers.That’s exactly why we’re excited to invite you to participate in our mentoring program: Hotelie Office Hours.This program was created in direct response to what our members asked for—a meaningful way to connect, share kno

Chris Kirby ’15, founder and CEO of Ithaca Hummus, has been named the 2026 Cornell Hospitality Innovator. Kirby will be honored at the annual Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator celebration on June 2 in New York City, hosted by the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration and the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship. The award recognizes visionary leaders w

Ceridwyn King has been named as the new Dimond Family Dean of the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, part of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, effective July 1.<< Read more in the Cornell Chronicle article >>

Hello Hotelies! We are energized after a wonderful few days on campus for the Cornell Hotel Society's Annual General Meeting and Hotel Ezra Cornell 101!The Global Board, Regional Vice Presidents, Chapter Presidents, Chapter Boards, Global Committee members, and volunteers have all been hard at work for a great start to the year! Here are a few updates from our CHS meeting at HEC:1. CHS Engagement

The Cornell Hotel Society mourns the passing of Dr. Goetz Maritus ‘78.  Goetz had a distinguished career as a hospitality industry accountant and advisor, and a was dedicated Hotelie who supported CHS.  He passed on April 1, 2026.Gabriele Maessen PDP ’01, President of the CHS Germany Chapter, prepared the following obituary on LinkedIn.  "It is with great shock and deep sadness that we share the n