Dr. Melissa Dallas, head of Missouri State University’s hospitality and restaurant administration (HRA) department, accepted the Missouri Tourism Council’s (MTC) 2011 Educational Award on behalf of the department for outstanding dedication and service to the Missouri tourism industry. This top award in the state was presented by Greg Maxon, outgoing president of the MTC at the 2012 Capitol Days for Tourism event.
“I’m delighted the Hospitality and Restaurant Administration department at MSU was the recipient of this award,” said Tracy Kimberlin, president and chief executive officer of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. “MSU has built a reputation around the state as an institution that consistently turns out top quality professionals for the hospitality industry.”
Two Missouri State HRA students, Cat Blankenship and Matthew Evans, received top scholarships from the MTC earlier this year. Maxon explained that the quality of these scholarship applicants was what prompted the committee to further investigate the HRA department at Missouri State.
“We were honored to accept this prestigious award and, as a department, will continue to graduate future hospitality and tourism managers who fully understand the economic importance and complexities of these industries,” said Dallas.
The MTC is the official private sector umbrella organization of the tourism industry in the state of Missouri. As a not-for-profit association, its primary aim is to provide economic, social and educational benefits to its broad-based membership through professional development, public advocacy and cooperative state/regional marketing efforts. Through state industry partnerships and a research based business plan, the MTC strengthens the development, promotion and sustainable growth of the Missouri tourism industry for both visitors and state residents.
For more information, contact Dallas at (417) 836-4223.