By Sue McMurray, WSU Carson College of Business
The School of Hospitality Business Management at Washington State University is renewing a tradition that began in the 1940s — the Bellhop, a celebration of the hospitality program featuring a dinner and dancing.
The event includes the SHBM Hall of Fame inductee celebration and will begin 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 23, in the CUB senior ballroom. The public is invited.
Registration is $125 and is available on the Carson College website or by calling 509-335-5766 until 5 p.m. Friday, March 9.
The Bellhop was a longstanding fundraiser that ran from the 1940s to the 1980s. Students turned the women’s gym into a nightclub for an annual dance, drawing attention to the hotel and restaurant program and raising money for their seniors to travel and tour some of the finest hotels in the country. Each year, the club selected a national bellman to honor and bring to Pullman for a series of events.
“The purpose of bringing the Bellhop back is to honor the past, celebrate the present, and build the future of the School of Hospitality Business Management,” said Nancy Swanger, SHBM director and Carson College of Business associate dean.
Additionally the event includes a live auction and raise-the-paddle fundraiser. Proceeds will support the Hospitality Business Management Development Fund.
Hall of fame inductees include:
- Joseph Bradley, professor emeritus, (posthumous)
- Rick Ellingson, retired president, Bargreen Ellingson
- George Forbes, owner/publisher, Portland Visitor’s Map
- Chris Marker, retired president/CEO, The Hilhaven Corporation
- Harry Mullikin, retired chairman/CEO, Westin Hotels, (posthumous)
- Peter Smith, retired chief operating officer, Canyon Ranch
- Georgina Tucker, retired director of housekeeping, Westin Century Plaza Hotel, (posthumous)
Swanger said SHBM would like to thank their sponsors, Boyd Family Vineyard, Hilton, Marriott International, Panda Express, San Diego Zoo, Seattle Hospitality Group, LLC, Stonebridge Companies, Swanger family and The Hotel Group.
The school was established in 1932 and ranks eighth among the best hospitality programs nationwide. Additionally, TheBestSchools.org recently ranked the school No. 1 for best online hospitality programs in the United States in 2018.
