Students preparing for hospitality careers will benefit greatly from an international perspective, as the industry becomes increasingly global, Fred DeMicco says.

DeMicco, chairperson of CHEP's Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management and the University's first Aramark Chair in the department, delivered the inaugural Aramark Lecture to an audience of students, faculty and business professionals in December. The focus of his talk was his interest in expanding study-abroad opportunities and participation by HRIM students.

"Our industry is a very global one," he says. "Businesses today have global marketplaces, and our students need to be exposed to that." Studying outside the United States will create a more diverse and understanding work force, which is critical in today's industry, he says.

The Aramark Chair, created by a $1 million donation from the food-service company, will be responsible for general research projects, says DeMicco, who was named to the position last year. One such project will provide a student mentorship with Aramark on campus, while another will increase the department's technology instruction. DeMicco says he also plans to involve more students in internships on campus, including management positions in dining halls.

DeMicco, who holds a doctorate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, previously was associate director in the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Recreation Management at Pennsylvania State University.

--Kaytie Dowling, AS 2004