Members of the Eta Sigma Delta chapter created the faculty award聽as a way to honor excellence in the areas that are central to the honor society鈥檚 mission: service, leadership, excellence, creativity and ethics.

鈥淚鈥檓 honored to receive this award,鈥� said Judy. 鈥淚 feel extremely fortunate just to be able to teach what I鈥檓 most passionate about, so for students to actually show their appreciation through this award is just icing on the cake for me.鈥�

The former executive chef, who has served as an instructor at UCF鈥檚聽Rosen College since 2010, teaches Food Preparation for Catered Events (FSS 2282), Techniques of Food Preparation (FSS 2221), Sanitation in the Food Service Industry (HFT 4844), and Catering and Banquet Organization (FSS 4286). Judy taught more than 215 students during the Spring 2013 term.

About Eta Sigma Delta

In 1978, a group of students from the 海角直播 of New Hampshire鈥檚 Whittemore School of Business and Economics identified a need to recognize hospitality and tourism students for outstanding academic achievement, meritorious service and demonstrated professionalism.

At that time, honor societies existed for other disciplines, but not for the field of study serving one of the聽world鈥檚 largest industries.

As a special project, the students researched and evaluated a variety of options for fulfilling this need. The end result was the establishment of the first chapter of Eta Sigma Delta International Hospitality Management Society. Today, there are over 90 active Eta Sigma Delta chapters throughout the world. The growth is testament to the dedication of both students and professionals in hospitality and tourism to the pursuit of academic, professional and personal excellence. The guidance and support of International CHRIE has made it possible for ESD to grow. It is the intent that this Society will lead hospitality and tourism educators and professionals to the highest levels of professionalism and achievement.

The Induction Ceremony,聽hosted by faculty advisers Dr. Kevin Murphy and Dr. Po-Ju Chen, as well as chapter president Natalie Sixto, and chapter vice president Bethany Chester, was highlighted by keynote speaker Rick Spencer, creative manager & show development for Universal Orlando Resort.

As members of Eta Sigma Delta, students distinguish themselves in the eyes of educators, recruiters and industry executives. In addition, the honor society provides a networking system that allows for interaction and the exchange of information among students.

Members of the prestigious honor society also gain access to special functions at annual trade shows.

To be invited into Eta Sigma Delta, students must be a Hospitality Management major or studying a related field, with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

For more information on Eta Sigma Delta and the benefits of the organization, please visit聽www.chrie.org.

Dr. Ross, who has served as an associate professor for UCF’s 聽hospitality management program since 2001, is聽a leading academic expert in the field of special events and catering. She is also a Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) and a Certified Professional Catering Executive (CPCE).

Members of Rosen College’s Eta Sigma Delta chapter created the faculty award聽as a mechanism for honoring excellence in the areas that are central to ESD鈥檚 mission: Service, Leadership, Excellence, Creativity and Ethics.

About Eta Sigma Delta

In 1978, a group of students from the 海角直播 of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business and Economics identified a need to recognize hospitality and tourism students for outstanding academic achievement, meritorious service and demonstrated professionalism.

At that time, honor societies existed for other disciplines, but not for the field of study serving one of the聽world’s largest industries.

As a special project, the students researched and evaluated a variety of options for fulfilling this need. The end result was the establishment of the first chapter of Eta Sigma Delta International Hospitality Management Society. Today, there are over 60 active Eta Sigma Delta chapters throughout the world. The growth is testament to the dedication of both students and professionals in hospitality and tourism to the pursuit of academic, professional and personal excellence.The guidance and support of International CHRIE has made it possible for ESD to grow. It is the intent that this Society will lead hospitality and tourism educators and professionals to the highest levels of professionalism and achievement.

I say resume, as opposed to start, because long before Bruckner stepped foot on campus, he was already thriving in his field. Growing up in West Islip, Bruckner worked at one of the busiest McDonald鈥檚 restaurants on Long Island, where he was promoted yearly from age 14 to 18, when he left his award-winning assistant manager position to attend UCF.

鈥淒uring my time at McDonald鈥檚, I saw the potential for me to be successful in the hospitality industry, but I knew I needed the education to support it,鈥� said Bruckner. 鈥淎n industry professional gave me a list of the top 10 hospitality schools, and I chose UCF because of its resources, location and opportunities.鈥�

Bruckner enrolled at UCF in August 2009, and despite the heavy course load necessary to complete a bachelor鈥檚 degree in three years, he excelled in his academics. The five-time Dean鈥檚 List honoree earned First Year Academic Scholar honors, recognition from two collegiate honor societies (Golden Key International Honor Society and Eta Sigma Delta), and has maintained an overall GPA of 3.7.

In addition to his academics, Bruckner has been heavily involved in the local and campus community, participating in multiple outreach programs, events and committees.聽 Bruckner has also chaired multiple student organizations and served as the project manager/creator for All Knight Study 鈥� UCF鈥檚 first 24-hour study space.

Now in his final year at UCF鈥檚 Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Bruckner has already secured a job with the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort, as a room service supervisor.

Bruckner has also been chosen, as the only Rosen College student this semester, to participate in a 10-day externship with Starwood Hotels & Resorts鈥� management training program in New York City this March.

鈥淭he opportunities that I have been given stem from a series of events that led to my successes,鈥� said Bruckner. 鈥淢y job at McDonalds got me interested in hospitality management, which led to me to UCF鈥檚 Rosen College, where learned and networked to achieve my goals.鈥�

While Bruckner has worked hard towards his goals, he admits that he鈥檚 had help along the way, crediting Student Services and Dr. Wilfried Iskat with pointing him in the right direction.

鈥淚 remember knocking on Dr. Iskat鈥檚 door and saying 鈥榟i, my name is Gary and I need your help taking the next step in my life,鈥欌�� said Bruckner. 鈥淗e helped me and suggested that I attend the Rosen College Career Fair, where I started networking with employers, and ultimately that helped me obtain my job.鈥�

Bruckner will graduate this fall with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.

On Nov. 17, the society held its largest ceremony in ESD history, inducting 138 new students.

Chapter President Jaclyn Carlisto-Harris, Vice Presidents Pamela Cutler and Aline Fenelon, and faculty advisors, Drs. Po-Ju Chen and Kevin Murphy presided. The evening鈥檚 keynote speaker was Vice President and Managing Director of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Mr. Paul Tang.

ESD members are committed to fostering the growth of knowledge and promoting the advancement of the hospitality and tourism industries. At the ceremony, inductees pledged to uphold the high standards of scholastic and professional achievements established by ESD.

For more information on Eta Sigma Delta鈥檚 founding council, ICHRIE, and the benefits of the organization, please visit www.chrie.org.

David Schaefer was a 22-year-old Rosen College of Hospitality Management student who loved the industry, golf and had a promising future.聽 Tragically, his life was taken in an auto accident on October 4, 2010.

David鈥檚 father, Mark, worked closely with Rosen College and the UCF Foundation to produce the David Schaefer Memorial Golf Tournament.聽 The commemorative event was held June 2, 2011, David鈥檚 birthday, at the Shingle Creek Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.

The sold-out tournament generated over $35,000 that will support the new David Benjamin Schaefer Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Matt Schaefer, David鈥檚 older brother, said that scholarships will be available next school year. 鈥淚t will be a pretty substantial amount for one or two students the first year and then will, hopefully, build from there,鈥� he said.聽 Matt is pursuing his Master鈥檚 degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management at the Rosen College.

Various members of the Rosen College family supported the event, including the student chapters of the Future Theme Park Leaders Association and Eta Sigma Delta.

Membership to this prestigious society is by invitation only and students must be Hospitality Management majors with a 3.0 GPA standing while in their junior year.

The Rosen College ESD Honor Society is pleased to be the largest chapter within the organization. ESD faculty advisors include Dr. Kevin Murphy (the founder of the chapter) and Dr. Po-Ju Chen.