December 7, 2001 - Dr. Kaye Chon, Chair Professor and Head of the School
of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University
has been selected as the first recipient of The University of Delaware
Michael D. Olsen Research Achievement Award, which honors Dr. Olsen of
Virginia Tech for his contribution to the body of hospitality knowledge
and for his mentoring of graduate students at Virginia Tech.
"Dr. Chon is an outstanding choice for this award
as a Professor who exemplifies the scholarly record, and contribution to
graduate education ideals of a Dr. Olsen," according to Dr. Fred DeMicco,
Professor and ARAMARK Chair at the University of Delaware.
Dr. Michael Olsen added, "Kaye Chon has made a significant contribution
to the academy by his stream of research and scholarship in the area of
destination marketing."
Dr. Kaye Chon commented, "The recognition is significant to me in several
ways. First, I am honored to be named the recipient of the First Michael
D. Olsen Award, an award created under the name of the person who has made
such an impact in my life and others in our field. Second, it is significant
to me because the award will be presented at the conference that I founded
-- I must acknowledge that |
Professor Kaye Kye-Sung Chon joined the School of Hotel
and Tourism Management in July 2000 as the Chair Professor in Hotel and
Tourism Management and concurrently as the Head of School. A former hotel
manager
and tourism industry consultant, Professor Chon previously
held academic positions at the University of Houston, University of Nevada,
Las Vegas, and Virginia Tech in the United States. He completed his undergraduate
studies at the University of Maryland (A.A.) and Georgia State University
(B.S.) and post-graduate studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
(MSc) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Ph.D.),
all in hospitality and tourism management. |
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Mike was the source of inspiration behind this conference, which started
rather small in 1996 and has since become such an important and major gathering
for research and education in hospitality. Third, it is a tremendous
compliment for me to be recognized by peers for my achievements in research
and scholarship."
The award is endowed by the University of Delaware's HR&IM program
and graduates and friends of Mike Olsen. Nomination criteria of scholars
includes someone who has made a long term contribution to
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research and scholarship in hospitality and tourism;
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graduate education and mentoring of graduate students;
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and overall weight of contribution to the academy, including serving on
editorial review boards, developing international symposia and conferences.
The award will be presented at the Seventh Annual Graduate Education and
Graduate Student Research Conference in Houston at the Conrad N. Hilton
College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, the University of Houston,
January 3 - 5, 2002. |